Treasure-loutions instead of Resolutions

 Treasure-loutions instead of Resolutions

          As the end of the year is quickly coming one of the things many people do is make resolutions.  But then most are not followed through.

          Another consideration is “Treasure-loutions”.  In an empty jar put in notes about the positive things that happen throughout the year.  Then on December 31^st read them and see how the year has had many good occurrences.

          These can be reminders of how great the year has been.  We can discover many treasures that fill our lives on an ongoing basis.  It may be so uplifting to our heart, as well as encouraging.

          It also shows us how we were a blessing to others that God brought to our path.  We may have been the answer to the prayers of that person, to accomplish God’s goal.

          There is so much for us to notice, if only we are aware of what surrounds us.  The goodness and blessings fill our environments, just awaiting the gaze to connect what God offers.  Our surroundings contain such positivity to overflow our jars, and our year.

I’ll Never See the Same Way Again

 

I’ll Never See the Same Way Again

There are things we see or read that change our outlook about how we perceive information.  What gets revealed to us in God’s timing can have amazing results.

          In a recent Jesus Calling:  “My plan for your life is unfolding before you.  Sometimes the road you are traveling seems blocked, or it opens up so painfully slowly that you must hold yourself back.  Then, when the time is right, the way before you clears – through no effort of your own. …..”

          God has some purposes for each of us to be relevant in one another’s lives.  We are brought to each other’s paths to accomplish some specific thing(s).  It could be the answer to that person’s prayer that we are meant to handle.

          What we notice could be an “aha moment” that gives us something new, a breakthrough we’ve been waiting for.  It may be a story we think we’re familiar with but all of a sudden we’re seeing a new piece in it that reveals a part of it we hadn’t thought of.  We’re a witness to newness that brings a fresh outlook that wasn’t considered.

          This refreshing viewpoint brings so much alive in our understanding and awareness.  Our perspective for the future may be renewed and we might have a whole new direction.

I Know A Cure for Sadness

 

I Know A Cure for Sadness

Let your hands touch something that makes your eyes smile

from Mirabai (Hindu mystical singer).

          A way to cure sad feelings is to let our hands touch somethings that make our eyes smile.  This kind of thing brings brightness into our lives.

          When we can experience that which enhances us to the point of enlivening our mind, soul & spirit we reach a euphoria, we are changed.  Our being is enlivened in such a way, we’re rejuvenated with things so incredible that spill over our containers onto all around us.

          God reaches others through us and brings alive environments we touch.  We get “Aha moments” as revelations from God that can be so invigorating for us as well as one another.

          This week (Dec. 20^th) we’re finishing the Advent season and beginning the Christmas celebration.  Though we have many reasons to be joyful, we may also have some sad times to work through.  Whatever sadness we have there are ways around them.

          Touching things that bring smiles to us can lift our spirits and change the mood we’re in.  It can improve our outlook as well as those God brings to our path.  The building of God’s kingdom can be strengthened to be so much more.

No More Vacations

No More Vacations

A friend who returned from a vacation told me he wasn’t going to go on vacation anymore.  He would still travel, but now he would look for something spiritual.  And each trip would become a “pilgrimage.”

That changed my perspective about my own journeys.  I look for that something spiritual in my own travels, and they become different for me, wherever I go.

I am seeing so much more in the places I visit, it has opened up the encounters I have.  Even the common walks or drives I have reveal some blessings that open up much more.

God has shown me things so incredible that have appeared and taught me lessons.  I’ve noticed the prolific in what seemed simple and mundane.

The experience of something new can only happen when we are open to the possibility, to take in the lesson to be learned.  If we see “vacations” as a getaway then we might lose out on the gift offered.  Look for opportunities, see spiritual possibilities, be on pilgrimages and receive blessings. 

INAM – It’s Not About Me

 INAM – It’s Not About Me

          Recently I heard “INAM – It’s Not About Me”.  That gave me something to think about.  That phrase was so revealing, it spoke to me in volumes.

          What I heard was so much bigger than myself and links me to a community and family of God.  The Trinity of God (Father, Son & Holy Spirit) is the example of multiple connections – family/community – that make the “us & we” so relevant.

          The connections beyond ourselves give us opportunities for relationships that can build up much into our lives.  We see so many bonds with those around us and notice the graces God offers to us as blessings.  They appear as “aha moments” in things we hear, touch, see & sense.

          The things God gives to us expand what know about into the quite revelationary.  When we think we know it all, that can be so limiting; we are so closed off.  But when we are open to possibilities, we learn much more.

          The acronym J.o.y means Jesus-others-yourself.  That means “you…” comes at the end, after Jesus and others.  Any other sequence of that spelling just doesn’t make sense and gives us the proper perspective.

Renaissance means rebirth

 Renaissance means rebirth

(instead of “injury anniversary”)

Nov. 13^th 2020 was my 1^st stroke, so one year later I was celebrating it as my 1^st anniversary.  I commented to a group about it and added that I was celebrating that I was still around.

In a class for ABI (Acquired Brain Injury) one of the students said they used “Renaissance” instead of anniversary because it means “rebirth.”  That clued me in to rethink about it in a new way.  I could re-think of my life as its rebirth, a way of going on and growing toward something new.

There are so many new opportunities ahead as I look forward.  I am seeing so much as possibilities I can grab onto.  We can see so much renewed, if only we’re open to such ways.

The problem-free world is not in our future, so the challenges will be what we face frequently.  It is not “if” we will fall/fail, but ‘when”.  So picking ourselves up, and how we’ll respond is the key.

We have so much potential ahead of us as well as encouraging support around that builds us up to accomplish greatness.  Each step can add hope into our life, with togetherness of God (Father, Son & Holy Spirit) & God’s family.  We are blessed in so many ways.

Pause-itive Blessings

Pause-itive Blessings

There is a difference between positive and negative.  But sometimes taking the time to think about our actions before responding can result in a more positive outcome.

The little break might have a positive impact and be a blessing to our environment.  It can improve the outlook about so many things we face.  Taking a “pause” to examine the choices before jumping to act can be just what we need for our approach.

Reacting to a situation may be necessary, but not always helpful.  Taking the time and thought before acting can be the needed step for the situation.  It may be called for in that occasion.

As we continue through this Advent season the “pause” might be the aid we need to prepare for the Christmas season ahead.  There is so much for us to celebrate, but do we have the right perspective about what to include.

We can also be there for each other and with each other.  The time given to others is so important and a blessing in our relationships.  The gift of time is vital for receiver and giver, and blesses both immensely.

One of the phrases talked about during our marriage preparation was “love lavishly”.  That can apply to many situations, especially Christmas.  So love lavishly this Christmas season; be a blessing to all.

Foreign Languages -- Difficult or Not?

Foreign Languages --

Difficult or Not?

In a class, I asked the students which foreign languages they knew.  They responded, “Spanish”, “English”, “Vietnamese”, “French”, “Chinese”, “Japanese”, “Sign-language”.  There are more, but for now these will do.

I said I was going to tell them some they didn’t consider.  I added “math”, and “science”.  They looked quizzically.  I said there are many foreign languages that seem difficult until we learn the clues to understand them.  Then they become easier to comprehend.

I then bring up “faith” as a foreign language because we don’t understand it initially.  We must learn some things about it that help to bridge the gap.  When connections are made, we see things differently.  And so much more is opened up to us

God shows “Aha moments” that reveal something new to us as graces and blessings into our lives.  It is so eye opening that it’s incredible.

Sometimes we are like sponges that soak up knowledge and experiences.  The learning is much easier under these conditions.  Something so foreign to us can be taken in quickly when we are familiar with the material, and are able to put it into a fitting context.  The phrase “Context Connects Value” comes to mind.  When we find context in something, that thing will become valuable to us.