'REFLECTIONS TO ENCOURAGE''

'REFLECTIONS TO ENCOURAGE' 

This winter has been one to surprise us at times, elate the children at times with no school and fun outdoors.  This winter has been one to feel 'blessed'; depending on which state one lives in.  What is the saying?  If you think you have reason to complain, just look around and one will see others with many more trials and tribulations.

In saying all of this, I think it is important to note that we are all 'human beings', as well.  And we have feelings and everything is reverent.  So, it might be better to pull back a bit and 'balance' out our thoughts and understanding in all areas of concern and blessings.  It might help spread a bit more harmony, inch by inch, for all human kin. One might think; well, how can we do this?
There is always and ever something getting in our way of our efforts.  One might say that it is easy for you to say but you just do not understand!  No, we don't understand each persons' valley, trials and struggles; however, by choice, we know 'the concept' of living more humble, being more kind, allowing others to find their way and accept responsibility, to master.  It is important to learn ones' boundaries and follow ones' heart.  

It seems that 'the weather' gets in our way in our actions, our thoughts, our moods and our attitudes.  I wonder how that can be since 'weather' has no emotions?  If we say that 'weather' gets in our way; could we say that 'our job', or 'our family', or 'anything else' that we find effects our daily living?  Less we forget, the process of learning and growing never ends when one becomes a certain age.  It is a life-long journey.

Perhaps,  it always and ever will come back to 'our hearts' and in how we handle 'the weather', 'our family', 'our job' and/or 'any circumstance' that might come our way?  And, there are times that we can handle and adjust to 'life's challenges' better.  On a 'Sunny Day', it seems life is more gentle to us.  Whatever might nourish our 'nerves' to better handle life and living, may all of us seek those 'little perks' and in addition to God's promise to never put on us more than we can bear.  Resting in a 'higher power' than ours, will always see us through and give us a peace beyond ourselves.  'Thankfulness is like a medicine' as 'a hug is from your child/grandchild'.  It can always give one comfort, humility and strength to move forward and onward to better days. Where there is 'thankfulness' and where there is 'love', life is good!

Listed below are a few quotes from great leaders by Peggy Anderson

"The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time."  by Abraham Lincoln

"Life is a series of experiences, each of which makes us bigger, even though it is hard to realize this.  For the world was built to develop character and we must learn the setbacks and the griefs which we endure help us in our marching onward."  by Henry Ford

"Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless." by Mother Teresa

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal:  It is the courage to continue that counts." by Winston Churchill

Until next time
God Bless
Doris

'The Greatest gift you ever give is your honest self.'


Today, as I think of all that is going on in our world, it causes me to pause and think of some better days of long ago.  We have better technology but what about morals and honesty?  We can turn on our TV today and hear about all of the corruption in many areas of our world that is just so disheartening.

I realize there are problems and issues in all generations.  Nevertheless, it seems as time passes, there is more corruption and dishonesty in the political world to say the least.  And, in turn, this streams down and/or, to and fro, in other areas that affect all of us.

"The greatest gift you ever give is your honest self."  This statement was said by a wise man.  Do you know who this man was?  I'll give you a hint.  For more than thirty years, he swept us off to his neighborhood and taught us about love, friendship, respect, individuality, imagination, honesty, and so much more.  With his signature style, his cardigan, and his gentle yet direct tone, he earned our trust and love. 
Well, if you haven't guessed who this is by now, I'll tell you, Fred Rogers.  Perhaps, it was the 'cardigan' that gave him away or was it the 'neighborhood'?  And, it might have been because he seemed different, in ways, I have no doubt that he was made fun of in his gentle and simple style. 

I think this is evident as to how we judge people.  We have no right nor do we want to be judged in any way.  Oh, maybe, if it is a great compliment that builds up our ego.  How very wrong this is.  If, in fact, this is where we are and how we feel.  Mister Roger was a good example of giving this gift of his honest self. 

Mister Rogers had a humble heart, love and knowledge.  He offered volumes of unique tools and comfort to all ages.  He shared through love and grace, giving the greatest gift he could ever give, 'his honest self'. 

I would like to share some of the wonderful things he shared with others in his book: The World According to Mister Rogers.  He thought some of these writings were important to remember and so do I.

"Successful people....just love what they're doing, and they love it in front of others."

"We human beings all want to know that we're acceptable, that somehow our being alive makes a difference in the lives of others."

"People have said, 'Don't cry' to other people for years and years and all it has ever meant is, 'I'm too uncomfortable when you show your feelings. Don't cry.'  I'd rather have them say, 'Go ahead and cry.  I'm here to be with you.'"

Love isn't a state of perfect caring. It is an active noun like struggle. To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now.
 
Mister Rogers said so simply.  "You don't ever have to do anything sensational for people to love you."  Remember him saying on his show that "it's you I like," "I'm talking about that part of you that knows that life is far more than anything you can ever see or hear or touch.  It is that deep part of you that allows you to stand for those things without which humankind cannot survive: love that conquers hate, peace that arises triumphant over war, and justice that proves more powerful than greed."

May we all find the strength and grace to make those choices which will allow all of us to become the best of whoever we are. 

Giving the gift of our 'honest self, is as beautiful in its' simplicity as the raindrops visiting a petal on a flower....it just flows.  






'Raindrops bring beauty to our flowers'

Until next time
God Bless
Doris

Hi Friends,    'TIME TO MOVE CLOCKS FORWARD...WHAT ABOUT  'OUR CLOCK'?'

Today is the day that we move our clocks forward!  This brings many thoughts to mind as to how this effects other dimensions in our lives. 

There will be 'little ones' waking up a little later than they did this morning, there will be more light outdoors when persons get off of work at 5:00 p.m., there will be 'bellies' feeling hungry pains a bit earlier and sleep patterns will change.  Isn't this amazing?

This small move of the clock's knob will effect numerous other moves that we make because of this one hour time change.  Unbelievable, isn't it?  

On the other hand, this could be a time that we may choose to change a bit.  We might want to reflect on something we would like to change in our day that would effect more than an hour of our life and others but it might take only fifteen minutes to do. 

Perhaps, call a friend, take a walk, read, start a journal, exercise something, eat a different fruit, drink a different drink, laugh everyday.  Do one act of kindness for somebody.  All of the things that I have listed, we can do in less than fifteen minutes per day.  And yes, I am right in here with you. I can/will do this, too.
All of us have 'our muddy ruts' of struggles we walk in from time to time, but we can travel a bit easier when we try not to walk it alone.  I understand when one walks in mud, if they hold the hand of a friend, they tend to stay in a upright position better.

Let's take a minute to reflect on what we wish and pray for at times.  Sometimes, we act as if we want it ALL but do we?  What is ALL?! 

'WELL, I WANT HEALTH'?  BUT,  I DON'T HAVE IT OR DO I?  I feel that we all have 'Health'.  It just might not be in the way we would want it.  Health is what we make it?  Is it? Health is a teacher?  Or is it? I said in my last post that Health is Priceless and Problems are Priceless.  Did I loose you?  I hope not.  Soon, I will share with you how Problems can transform into Inconveniences.  This I can testify to because I believe;  His Grace Is Sufficient. 

This brings me to sympathy and empathy.  Remember my sharing in an earlier post, I did not like sympathy during my times of great pain and I longed for empathy.  Have you ever thought of what sympathy really is:  It is given to support the weakness in a person.  When a person gives another sympathy in loss of a loved one, this is sympathy and it helps comfort.

Empathy is given to support the strength in a person.  When a person gives another empathy during a struggling time in their life to cope, this is empathy and it offers encouragement.  

I read recently from a daily calendar that is on my desk:  I asked for strength and God gave me difficulties to make me strong.  I think maybe next time I'll just be content being weak! (are you laughing yet?)

The next line read:   2 Corinthians 12:10  That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. 

Now, this was the beginning and the end of what was on the Calendar.  Sometimes, I feel it helps to read more for clarity.  Things are taken out of context and this is why I am very guarded in sharing biblical scriptures and/or do I listen to cliches.  I have heard many and they don't set will with me.  You will not hear me preaching or quoting tons of scriptures.  I am not a scholar in the Bible by any means.  I share my experiences and beliefs. 

Nevertheless, I read the rest of the scripture just before this in my bible and it reads: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  2 Corinthians 12:9
(It just might help to write this scripture on a piece of paper and keep it near you.  I find it powerful.  It is in little things as these steps that will be building blocks to your transforming those problems into inconveniences)

I close with this.  My views and beliefs will be different from your views and beliefs.  My mission is to share my story humbly and in empathy from my heart to your heart.   We are all on a journey and if our paths cross for the reasons that are 'Divinely Meant To Be' than I feel it is a worthwhile effort to walk together for awhile. 

Let's never loose sight of Hope in all that we do.  God has a Purpose For Your Life and His Grace is Sufficient To See You Through.

God Bless!
Doris