As I hoped, my vision was much clearer when I awakened this morning. I checked in with my doctor and he was happy with my overnight progress. My visual clarity is returning as expected.
You know, Helen Keller was born just like most newborn babies. There was much hope and anticipation when Helen came into the world on June 27, 1880. It was at age 18 months after a serious illness that she was left blind and deaf. Later, it was with the help and guidance of Annie Sullivan that Helen began to gain clarity about her life and her future became bright even through incredible adversity.
By the time Helen was 16 years of age, she was accepted into Radcliffe College and in 1904, she graduated cum laude, with honors.
As a young woman, Helen found her passion and became interested in improving the lives of others. With insight, energy, and deep devotion, she lectured throughout the world, worked to forward her ideas in Congress, and wrote thousands of letters asking for contributions to finance efforts to improve the welfare of the blind.
Annie Sullivan served as Helen's counselor and companion. When Helen died just before her 87th birthday, her name had become a worldwide symbol of what the human spirit can accomplish despite severe physical limitations.
I find many of Helen Keller's quotes inspiring. Following are some of my favorites:
"The best and the most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart."
"The only thing worse than being blind, is having sight, but no vision."
"What I am looking for is not 'out there', it is in me."
There is much we can learn from this remarkable woman who gained much clarity throughout her life.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
GAINING CLARITY
My daughter took me earlier this afternoon for lasik eye surgery on my left eye. Because I am still recovering, my vision is blurry as I type, so I feel certain this will be a short post. I should have more visual clarity when I awaken in the morning. As I was resting after the surgery, I began to think about the inner clarity that has been coming into my life more than ever in recent months since becoming a 50 something woman. Clarity is defined as having clearness as to understanding or perception. I do believe that clarity is not something that just happens, but instead, it is something that will happen as we begin to be still and LET THINGS GO.
Mahatma Ghandi said "In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in a clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness."
One of my favorite all time heroes, a woman known for brave deeds and noble qualities, is Helen Keller. She gained much clarity as she lived out her days and I will share more about her tomorrow.
In the meantime, I am wondering what it is you and I need to gain more clarity about today. Is it that difficult relationship that has been bogging us down? Could it be that we KNOW that we need to alter our eating and exercise habits, but we are just not doing it?
Is it that we need to live a more simple life? Perhaps, it is that we need to love and care for ourselves in the same way that we love and care for the important people in our lives.
Let us make every effort to be clear-minded as we walk through our days. That should be recognized as one of the greatest benefits of being this age!
Chelle Thompson, Editor of Inspirtation Line says it like this:
"In my own life I've practiced stepping back a bit, emotionally from difficult situations so that I could gain clarity of perspective. It's quite a miraculous feeling to recognize that we do not have to be victims of circumstance because the very freedom we seek is within each of us."
YES...LET US BE HONEST AND FRANK WITH OURSELVES AND GAIN MORE CLARITY TODAY!
We only get one chance at this life...one time around.
Mahatma Ghandi said "In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in a clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness."
One of my favorite all time heroes, a woman known for brave deeds and noble qualities, is Helen Keller. She gained much clarity as she lived out her days and I will share more about her tomorrow.
In the meantime, I am wondering what it is you and I need to gain more clarity about today. Is it that difficult relationship that has been bogging us down? Could it be that we KNOW that we need to alter our eating and exercise habits, but we are just not doing it?
Is it that we need to live a more simple life? Perhaps, it is that we need to love and care for ourselves in the same way that we love and care for the important people in our lives.
Let us make every effort to be clear-minded as we walk through our days. That should be recognized as one of the greatest benefits of being this age!
Chelle Thompson, Editor of Inspirtation Line says it like this:
"In my own life I've practiced stepping back a bit, emotionally from difficult situations so that I could gain clarity of perspective. It's quite a miraculous feeling to recognize that we do not have to be victims of circumstance because the very freedom we seek is within each of us."
YES...LET US BE HONEST AND FRANK WITH OURSELVES AND GAIN MORE CLARITY TODAY!
We only get one chance at this life...one time around.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
DO IT ANYWAY!
I did not feel like exercising this morning...but I did it anyway and I am glad!
In fact, I must say that I have never worked out and not felt much better afterwards.
This is a good point to remember! As a 50 something woman, exercise brings on growth, whereas a lack of it can bring on decay...I want growth, and I'll bet you do, too!
This reminds me of another kind of "DO IT ANYWAY!"
As we journey through life, we will often encounter what I call "sand paper people". You know, those that can be difficult to get along with no matter what.
These folks need love just like the rest of us.
In our home, I have the following framed in our living area...I try to read it often, because it reminds me of fitting ways to LIVE and LOVE!
ANYWAY
"People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered, forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends, and some true enemies; succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight, build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; be happy anyway.
The good you do today people will often forget tomorrow; do good anyway.
GIVE THE WORLD THE BEST YOU HAVE, and it may never be enough; give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; it was never between you and them anyway." ~MOTHER TERESA~
LET'S DO IT ANYWAY!
In fact, I must say that I have never worked out and not felt much better afterwards.
This is a good point to remember! As a 50 something woman, exercise brings on growth, whereas a lack of it can bring on decay...I want growth, and I'll bet you do, too!
This reminds me of another kind of "DO IT ANYWAY!"
As we journey through life, we will often encounter what I call "sand paper people". You know, those that can be difficult to get along with no matter what.
These folks need love just like the rest of us.
In our home, I have the following framed in our living area...I try to read it often, because it reminds me of fitting ways to LIVE and LOVE!
ANYWAY
"People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered, forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends, and some true enemies; succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight, build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; be happy anyway.
The good you do today people will often forget tomorrow; do good anyway.
GIVE THE WORLD THE BEST YOU HAVE, and it may never be enough; give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; it was never between you and them anyway." ~MOTHER TERESA~
LET'S DO IT ANYWAY!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
THE GRASS WITHERS AND THE FLOWERS FALL
As I studied some scripture this morning, I was moved by some Truth in the book of 2 Peter...It has so many of life's answers in just a few short verses:
"For this reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, LOVE. For if you possess THESE qualities in INCREASING measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, (s)he is nearsighted and blind, and has FORGOTTEN that (s)he has been cleansed from past sins." 2 Peter 1:5-9
So, today, if you have are asking some difficult questions of LIFE, I hope you will consider these verses as part of the answer He may have for you.
Also, I have been renewed by a particular website that I know will bless you, too.
I was introduced to Martha Williamson by my sister, Laura Lea when she was going through the nearly year long trial with her son, Brad. Martha's work is an inspiration and an encouragement...Just view one of her very short videos, and I know you will agree.
Go to:
http://blog.beliefnet.com/MarthaWilliamson
Today's topic goes along with this scripture and is entitled:
"Tell ME Why"
And before I leave this idea of studying the Word, I must share one of my favorite ways to read it often, if not daily:
I read a Proverbs of the day, depending on the day of the month. Today, for example, I read Proverbs 12 for May 12th. There are 31 chapters in Proverbs...one for each day of the month! There is such wisdom and life application in this book. Billy Graham once said: " I read five Psalms a day and that teaches me how to get along with God and I read a chapter of Proverbs a day because that teaches me how to get along with my fellow man."
Here is an example of the wisdom that is in today's Proverbs! Proverbs 12:1 really spoke to me this morning..."Whoever loves discipline loves knowlege, but (she) he who hates correction is stupid." Note: If you don't want to learn, years of schooling will teach you very little. But if you want to be taught, there is no end to what you can learn.
And I will add to that: "The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement." (unknown)
So, in closing, let us always remember that...
"The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8
"For this reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, LOVE. For if you possess THESE qualities in INCREASING measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, (s)he is nearsighted and blind, and has FORGOTTEN that (s)he has been cleansed from past sins." 2 Peter 1:5-9
So, today, if you have are asking some difficult questions of LIFE, I hope you will consider these verses as part of the answer He may have for you.
Also, I have been renewed by a particular website that I know will bless you, too.
I was introduced to Martha Williamson by my sister, Laura Lea when she was going through the nearly year long trial with her son, Brad. Martha's work is an inspiration and an encouragement...Just view one of her very short videos, and I know you will agree.
Go to:
http://blog.beliefnet.com/MarthaWilliamson
Today's topic goes along with this scripture and is entitled:
"Tell ME Why"
And before I leave this idea of studying the Word, I must share one of my favorite ways to read it often, if not daily:
I read a Proverbs of the day, depending on the day of the month. Today, for example, I read Proverbs 12 for May 12th. There are 31 chapters in Proverbs...one for each day of the month! There is such wisdom and life application in this book. Billy Graham once said: " I read five Psalms a day and that teaches me how to get along with God and I read a chapter of Proverbs a day because that teaches me how to get along with my fellow man."
Here is an example of the wisdom that is in today's Proverbs! Proverbs 12:1 really spoke to me this morning..."Whoever loves discipline loves knowlege, but (she) he who hates correction is stupid." Note: If you don't want to learn, years of schooling will teach you very little. But if you want to be taught, there is no end to what you can learn.
And I will add to that: "The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement." (unknown)
So, in closing, let us always remember that...
"The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8
Monday, May 11, 2009
ARE YOU A HOSTAGE TO A BAD HABIT?
I started on a three week journey yesterday. For the next three weeks, I am planning to destroy a habit that has burndened me for some time. While I do not plan to specifically name this habit, nor do I expect you to name yours, I hope in reading this you, too, will be encouraged to overcome a habit that has been a burden for you.
A good friend of mine recently said it like this: "You know the difference between freedom and slavery...if a particular action on your part does not give you the feeling of freedom, therein may lie your problem."
As 50 something woman, or actually, any age, man or woman, we can ALL begin to conquer habits that imprison us...Let's start today!
Here's how to replace bad, old habits with good ones-a simple plan to change your life. I really don't remember how or when I heard that it takes just three weeks to form a good habit. The initial few days of the three weeks, you may very well expect to be miserable as you attempt to gain victory over a habit that has been with you for sometime... YOU may even feel that this is an impossible undertaking. As time marches on, and you mark each successful day off the calendar for the next three weeks, you will begin to feel like a true winner! YOU will experience empowerment! YOU will see a change in yourself that you will appreciate and love!
YOUR habit that you choose to rid yourself of can be a physical one...
"I want to eat more fruits and vegetables.",
"I want to floss daily."
a relational one..."I want to be more positive and encouraging, less critical to my child/spouse.",
"I want to stop with the negative self-talk." or
_______________________________FILL IN THE BLANK
with the habit that has kept you imprisoned...YOU know what it is!
Yesterday was DAY ONE for me...Will today or tomorrow be DAY ONE for you?
Let's destroy our bad habits together one at a time!
AS we journey through our days, we can release the burdens of a lifetime of bad habits... just one day at a time...WE can help ourselves to become better people by plugging away at particular areas of our lives. WE can review each week the GOOD habits we've managed to acquire to avoid falling back into old patterns. The best part of this is that the aforementioned experience can give us the confidence to see that we can reform ANYTHING we want to refine about ourselves by PERSISTING for three weeks! Let's start today!
(Note: information taken from a Reader's Digest article by, Anya Bateman, September 1983)
A good friend of mine recently said it like this: "You know the difference between freedom and slavery...if a particular action on your part does not give you the feeling of freedom, therein may lie your problem."
As 50 something woman, or actually, any age, man or woman, we can ALL begin to conquer habits that imprison us...Let's start today!
Here's how to replace bad, old habits with good ones-a simple plan to change your life. I really don't remember how or when I heard that it takes just three weeks to form a good habit. The initial few days of the three weeks, you may very well expect to be miserable as you attempt to gain victory over a habit that has been with you for sometime... YOU may even feel that this is an impossible undertaking. As time marches on, and you mark each successful day off the calendar for the next three weeks, you will begin to feel like a true winner! YOU will experience empowerment! YOU will see a change in yourself that you will appreciate and love!
YOUR habit that you choose to rid yourself of can be a physical one...
"I want to eat more fruits and vegetables.",
"I want to floss daily."
a relational one..."I want to be more positive and encouraging, less critical to my child/spouse.",
"I want to stop with the negative self-talk." or
_______________________________FILL IN THE BLANK
with the habit that has kept you imprisoned...YOU know what it is!
Yesterday was DAY ONE for me...Will today or tomorrow be DAY ONE for you?
Let's destroy our bad habits together one at a time!
AS we journey through our days, we can release the burdens of a lifetime of bad habits... just one day at a time...WE can help ourselves to become better people by plugging away at particular areas of our lives. WE can review each week the GOOD habits we've managed to acquire to avoid falling back into old patterns. The best part of this is that the aforementioned experience can give us the confidence to see that we can reform ANYTHING we want to refine about ourselves by PERSISTING for three weeks! Let's start today!
(Note: information taken from a Reader's Digest article by, Anya Bateman, September 1983)
Sunday, May 10, 2009
CHILDREN ARE A GIFT!
Just the mention of or the thought of children brings to mind so many beautiful memories...of either being a child and/or having children yourself. Every human being since Adam and Eve, several billion of us, began life in the same way, as children. The majority of us have gone on to have children and grandchildren of our own.
"Babies are such a nice way to start people." ~Don Herold~
"A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on." ~Carl Sandburg~
"You may give them your love but not your thoughts, for they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls, for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams. You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you, for life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday. You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth." ~Kahlil Gibran~
As we come to the end of Mother's Day 2009, it is good to reflect on our childhood, on our own mothers and also on the kind of mothers we have chosen to be, that is if we have been blessed with the holy privilege of being a mom.
I know my children, a daughter, age 20 and a son, now age 17 have made me feel extra special on this day. I realize more with each passing day that even though motherhood is the hardest job ever, I would not trade it for the world!
I love these young people so much! They have added a richness to my life that is indescribable
And...those who have not become mothers may want to consider the impact one can have on children in other ways...like being a wonderful aunt, a good and loving neighbor, a gifted teacher, and a friend of children in church or here and there.
WE are all here for such a time as this.
All children need to know that they have someone they can count on.
Perhaps YOU are that someone in a child's life today...if so, that is incredibly special!
"Babies are such a nice way to start people." ~Don Herold~
"A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on." ~Carl Sandburg~
"You may give them your love but not your thoughts, for they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls, for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams. You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you, for life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday. You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth." ~Kahlil Gibran~
As we come to the end of Mother's Day 2009, it is good to reflect on our childhood, on our own mothers and also on the kind of mothers we have chosen to be, that is if we have been blessed with the holy privilege of being a mom.
I know my children, a daughter, age 20 and a son, now age 17 have made me feel extra special on this day. I realize more with each passing day that even though motherhood is the hardest job ever, I would not trade it for the world!
I love these young people so much! They have added a richness to my life that is indescribable
And...those who have not become mothers may want to consider the impact one can have on children in other ways...like being a wonderful aunt, a good and loving neighbor, a gifted teacher, and a friend of children in church or here and there.
WE are all here for such a time as this.
All children need to know that they have someone they can count on.
Perhaps YOU are that someone in a child's life today...if so, that is incredibly special!
Friday, May 8, 2009
MY MOTHER REMEMBERED
Everyone is focused on the holiday of this weekend: MOTHER'S DAY, and so am I! I am, once again, thinking of my own mother and all that she taught me and gave me in the forty-eight years we were here together. One of the main things she taught me is a quote by Stephen De Grellet:
"I shall pass through this world but once.
If, therefore, there should be any kindness I can show,
Or any good thing I can do, let me do it now...
For I shall not pass this way again."
My Mama was adopted at the age of three by a Southern Baptist Preacher, his wife and their three biological sons. She was always so very thankful for the secure and happy haven this family provided for her. Later, she married my Daddy and fulfilled her lifetime dream of being a foreign missionary along with him since that was also his dream and passion. They lived in Africa for 5 years before returning stateside to care for their aging parents. Once they returned, they had 3 more of their six children (including me! I was # 5!) They celebrated their 58th year of marriage just before her death in 2006. What I remember the most about living with Mom was that she was always helping others...taking fresh baked cakes and punch to the veterans at the local VA Hospital, preparing Wednesday night dinner at church, and helping anyone, anywhere that needed a hand.
When I think about and remember my Mama, it is confirmed to me that the best moms don't just talk about what's right and wrong-they set good examples and inspire their sons and daughters to follow in their footsteps.
Being a good mother isn't easy.
Robert Louis Stevenson said it very well:
"To be rich in admiration and free from envy, to rejoice greatly in the good of others, to love with such generosity of heart that your love is still a dear possession in absence or unkindness, these are gifts which money cannot buy, and in many cases, which ONLY a wise and devoted mother can bestow as the greatest of all possessions to her children."
THANKS, MOM, for everything, and God bless you!
"I shall pass through this world but once.
If, therefore, there should be any kindness I can show,
Or any good thing I can do, let me do it now...
For I shall not pass this way again."
My Mama was adopted at the age of three by a Southern Baptist Preacher, his wife and their three biological sons. She was always so very thankful for the secure and happy haven this family provided for her. Later, she married my Daddy and fulfilled her lifetime dream of being a foreign missionary along with him since that was also his dream and passion. They lived in Africa for 5 years before returning stateside to care for their aging parents. Once they returned, they had 3 more of their six children (including me! I was # 5!) They celebrated their 58th year of marriage just before her death in 2006. What I remember the most about living with Mom was that she was always helping others...taking fresh baked cakes and punch to the veterans at the local VA Hospital, preparing Wednesday night dinner at church, and helping anyone, anywhere that needed a hand.
When I think about and remember my Mama, it is confirmed to me that the best moms don't just talk about what's right and wrong-they set good examples and inspire their sons and daughters to follow in their footsteps.
Being a good mother isn't easy.
Robert Louis Stevenson said it very well:
"To be rich in admiration and free from envy, to rejoice greatly in the good of others, to love with such generosity of heart that your love is still a dear possession in absence or unkindness, these are gifts which money cannot buy, and in many cases, which ONLY a wise and devoted mother can bestow as the greatest of all possessions to her children."
THANKS, MOM, for everything, and God bless you!
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