Have you ever woken up and found yourself feeling a bit discouraged and not quite sure why? That is how I felt yesterday and even after a good fitness workout, the blase feeling continued...What was it? I could not quite put my finger on it...
I casually mentioned it to my husband and that helped ease it a little.
Still, I awakened this morning with a similar weightyness on my shoulders...What was it?
Was it that our last-born was starting his senior year of high school, the truth that another summer (the season of fun and flexibility) had come and gone, the thought that so many of my close friends are busy with their full or part-time jobs, missing my Mama and others that have gone on ahead of me, or could it even be that the personal stories of the ladies I have been ministering to at a nearby Recovery Center were bringing me down??? Or perhaps it was a combination of all of the above.
Regardless of the reason, this blog is a reminder to myself and to all who will read it that we do not have to walk this road alone, nor were we meant to!
To move forward, out of my dismal view of things, I did three things and together, they helped me so much...
(1) I journaled, read and meditated on the Bible, specifically, Proverbs 11 for today, August 11th. V. 25, 30 were particularly meaningful to me. I also read devotions from Oswald Chamber's MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST and THE SEEKING HEART By, Fenelon (p. 124-125 REST IN GOD and p. 177 ONE THING NEEDED)
(2) I prayed and sought God, the Most High.
and last, but certainly, not least,
(3) I called a precious friend that I have known for 33 years since my freshman year in college. Susan and I are like-minded in that we both want to follow after God, and we both cherish our family, friends and FAITH! Talking to Susan who lives four hours away made all the difference in my day, in my attitude and in my future viewpoint. That is what close girlfriends do...they change our approach to life.
Thanks, Susan, for being there for me today!
We are not meant to walk this road alone...and when we try to walk alone, it can be very disheartening!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
LET IT GO!
For fitness today, I walked five miles in the woods with two of our four legged friend, Gracie and Mocah. As I walked, I listened to Simon and Garfunkel, a classical selection including some songs you will find very familiar: Bridge over Troubled Water, Sounds of Silence, and Scarborough Fair. As I walked, I thought and prayed, prayed and thought about life as we know it. There is so much out there that we can get "hung up" on if we allow ourselves to.
This blog is about LETTING IT GO!
"Letting what go?" you might ask. Letting go of bitterness, resentment, assumptions (many which may very well be false).
As a 50 something woman, I have many relationships that are important to me. However, I have learned, as perhaps you have, too, that with wonderful, loving relationships, often can come pain and misunderstandings. Let's just let it go and get on with our day...with our life, living well, laughing often and loving much!
WE only get one chance at this, one time around!
"Yet the timeless in you is aware of life's timelessness, and knows that yesterday is but today's memory and tomorrow is today's dream." ~Kahil Gibran, THE PROPHET
This blog is about LETTING IT GO!
"Letting what go?" you might ask. Letting go of bitterness, resentment, assumptions (many which may very well be false).
As a 50 something woman, I have many relationships that are important to me. However, I have learned, as perhaps you have, too, that with wonderful, loving relationships, often can come pain and misunderstandings. Let's just let it go and get on with our day...with our life, living well, laughing often and loving much!
WE only get one chance at this, one time around!
"Yet the timeless in you is aware of life's timelessness, and knows that yesterday is but today's memory and tomorrow is today's dream." ~Kahil Gibran, THE PROPHET
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
CARAMELIZED VIDALIA ONIONS
As I was caramelizing onions for dinner tonight, I caught myself gazing at the framed photo adjacent to my stovetop. The onion recipe was scratched out onto some note paper at my father's medical check-up yesterday:
2 Tbs butter melted in a pan, adding 2 thinly sliced onions, 1/2 tsp light brown sugar and 1/ tsp salt
Cook covered 20 minutes 'til tender-stir occasionally. Uncover, cook and stir over medium heat for 3-5 minutes or until onions are golden.
The picture was taken on my daughter's twelfth birthday in October 2000. In this photo, she is backed up to my Mom, Polly, and they both have the biggest smiles on their faces. Whenever we attended family reunions on my mother's side, our daughter would be called "Little Polly", because everyone thought she favored my mother so much. This special photo was taken long before my mother was diagnosed with cancer in 2006 and way before our little girl even thought seriously about attending college two hours from our home.
Now, Mama is in heaven and our daughter is an upperclassman at Auburn.
I love that this framed photograph is right on the counter where I cook our meals. It gives me strength, brings a smile to my face and inspires me to live and love while on this earth.
What special photos or momentos do you see in your home on a regular basis? Do they bring you warmth and strength as you recall sweet memories? If not, why not frame up something inspiring today and place it in a spot you pass by daily.
And while the vidalia onions are in season, try out this yummy recipe that will complement any meat as a side dish . You will be glad you did!
2 Tbs butter melted in a pan, adding 2 thinly sliced onions, 1/2 tsp light brown sugar and 1/ tsp salt
Cook covered 20 minutes 'til tender-stir occasionally. Uncover, cook and stir over medium heat for 3-5 minutes or until onions are golden.
The picture was taken on my daughter's twelfth birthday in October 2000. In this photo, she is backed up to my Mom, Polly, and they both have the biggest smiles on their faces. Whenever we attended family reunions on my mother's side, our daughter would be called "Little Polly", because everyone thought she favored my mother so much. This special photo was taken long before my mother was diagnosed with cancer in 2006 and way before our little girl even thought seriously about attending college two hours from our home.
Now, Mama is in heaven and our daughter is an upperclassman at Auburn.
I love that this framed photograph is right on the counter where I cook our meals. It gives me strength, brings a smile to my face and inspires me to live and love while on this earth.
What special photos or momentos do you see in your home on a regular basis? Do they bring you warmth and strength as you recall sweet memories? If not, why not frame up something inspiring today and place it in a spot you pass by daily.
And while the vidalia onions are in season, try out this yummy recipe that will complement any meat as a side dish . You will be glad you did!
Monday, August 3, 2009
THIS CAN BE TRICKY
When we visited Kiawah Island, South Carolina recently, we had a lovely villa a few blocks away from the coast. On a bike, we could reach the surf in less than ten minutes.
After our workouts in the nearby gym, we would hop on our rental bikes, with a back pack and a beach chair balanced on the handlebar as we rode. As we ventured closer to the beach, we would encounter several narrow boardwalks, most more suitable for one-way traffic, not two.
One morning, as I made my way, steadily to the sand, I was having a little trouble guiding my bike across a limited way. A woman, who looked to be a 50 something woman like me was walking towards me on the boardwalk. She observed my difficulty and smiled, stating three simple words: "This can be tricky."
Before I met this "friend" along the way, I was struggling, believing that surely others did not have this much difficulty and why was I not strong enough to make this journey happen more smoothly? Everything changed in my approach, my attitude, after hearing her brief, but encouraging message to me.
As we journey through our days, let's be on the lookout for women like ourselves who might be having a little trouble, who might need a helping word or deed. Let us travel this journey together, not alone.
Like this nameless woman on a boardwalk in South Carolina, you, too, could make a change in someone's day.
After our workouts in the nearby gym, we would hop on our rental bikes, with a back pack and a beach chair balanced on the handlebar as we rode. As we ventured closer to the beach, we would encounter several narrow boardwalks, most more suitable for one-way traffic, not two.
One morning, as I made my way, steadily to the sand, I was having a little trouble guiding my bike across a limited way. A woman, who looked to be a 50 something woman like me was walking towards me on the boardwalk. She observed my difficulty and smiled, stating three simple words: "This can be tricky."
Before I met this "friend" along the way, I was struggling, believing that surely others did not have this much difficulty and why was I not strong enough to make this journey happen more smoothly? Everything changed in my approach, my attitude, after hearing her brief, but encouraging message to me.
As we journey through our days, let's be on the lookout for women like ourselves who might be having a little trouble, who might need a helping word or deed. Let us travel this journey together, not alone.
Like this nameless woman on a boardwalk in South Carolina, you, too, could make a change in someone's day.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
AUGUST FIRST, TWO THOUSAND AND NINE
"This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
Yes, today is a day for rejoicing for sure as our beautiful niece, Katie will don her wedding gown and be wed to the love her life, Adam at 12 noon. Yes, a day for celebrating as our friends, The Carter Family travel to VSU to witness their daughter, Kat walk across the stage in her cap and gown.
Yes, today is August 1, 2009 and as promised, I am resuming my 50 something woman blog here and now. The longer I live, (and that would be a total of 18,615 days as of this day) the more I have realized what a gift LIFE is.
To quote Lily, a follower of this blog, in a comment on 6/6/09:
"I think the greatest thing about this age is the realization of time. Some of us, if we're lucky, finally have the time to do the things we put off because of our children and other responsibilities. Mostly, I appreciate the limited aspect in a way I never did before crossing that half-century mark.
IT MAKES ONE MAKE TIME."
Thanks, Lily, and I agree!
So, as we continue on this life adventure, to restate my purpose behind this blog:
LET US GROW AS WOMEN AS WE ENCOURAGE OUR DAUGHTERS, OUR NIECES, AND ALL OF OUR YOUNG LADY FRIENDS COMING ALONG BEHIND US TO DO THE SAME.
LET THE PILGRIMAGE CONTINUE...
let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
Yes, today is a day for rejoicing for sure as our beautiful niece, Katie will don her wedding gown and be wed to the love her life, Adam at 12 noon. Yes, a day for celebrating as our friends, The Carter Family travel to VSU to witness their daughter, Kat walk across the stage in her cap and gown.
Yes, today is August 1, 2009 and as promised, I am resuming my 50 something woman blog here and now. The longer I live, (and that would be a total of 18,615 days as of this day) the more I have realized what a gift LIFE is.
To quote Lily, a follower of this blog, in a comment on 6/6/09:
"I think the greatest thing about this age is the realization of time. Some of us, if we're lucky, finally have the time to do the things we put off because of our children and other responsibilities. Mostly, I appreciate the limited aspect in a way I never did before crossing that half-century mark.
IT MAKES ONE MAKE TIME."
Thanks, Lily, and I agree!
So, as we continue on this life adventure, to restate my purpose behind this blog:
LET US GROW AS WOMEN AS WE ENCOURAGE OUR DAUGHTERS, OUR NIECES, AND ALL OF OUR YOUNG LADY FRIENDS COMING ALONG BEHIND US TO DO THE SAME.
LET THE PILGRIMAGE CONTINUE...
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
TAKING A BREAK
When I wake up in the morning as a 50 something woman, I do not always know what my next blog will be about.
The main reason for this, is like you, and every other human being on this earth, I never know what a new day might bring.
Kahil Gibran, in one of my favorite books; The Prophet (copyright 1923), said:
" Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens."
I have taken such pleasure in writing this blog! Thanks to each one of you, my readers, my friends. Gibran's quote brings to mind to me personally that it is time to let my mind rest as I look to the future of this writing. My desire is that this will be purposeful, so I will be considering how to bring that about.
On April 8, 2009 life brought to me this blog and I have so enjoyed exploring this season in our lives.
As I shared with my sister, Laura Lea, weeks ago, I never press myself to "think of" a subject to post. I consciously live out my day and then go to my laptop when I feel like it.
Today, I have decided to take a break from my 50 something woman blog. I plan to resume this blog on August 1, 2009.
I hope you will mark your calendar to rejoin me at that time as we continue on this journey of taking care of ourselves and growing as women, as we encourage our daughters, nieces, and all of our young lady friends coming along behind us to do the same!
In the meantime, enjoy your days, your moments, your life! And remember:
"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time." ~John Lubbock~
The main reason for this, is like you, and every other human being on this earth, I never know what a new day might bring.
Kahil Gibran, in one of my favorite books; The Prophet (copyright 1923), said:
" Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens."
I have taken such pleasure in writing this blog! Thanks to each one of you, my readers, my friends. Gibran's quote brings to mind to me personally that it is time to let my mind rest as I look to the future of this writing. My desire is that this will be purposeful, so I will be considering how to bring that about.
On April 8, 2009 life brought to me this blog and I have so enjoyed exploring this season in our lives.
As I shared with my sister, Laura Lea, weeks ago, I never press myself to "think of" a subject to post. I consciously live out my day and then go to my laptop when I feel like it.
Today, I have decided to take a break from my 50 something woman blog. I plan to resume this blog on August 1, 2009.
I hope you will mark your calendar to rejoin me at that time as we continue on this journey of taking care of ourselves and growing as women, as we encourage our daughters, nieces, and all of our young lady friends coming along behind us to do the same!
In the meantime, enjoy your days, your moments, your life! And remember:
"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time." ~John Lubbock~
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
YESTERDAY; BUT A DREAM
It's a new day...the sunrise is spectacular as I type on our back porch. I am chilly, yes, chilly, sitting here in my workout clothes because the current temperature is only 62 degrees...It is difficult to believe that in just a couple of short hours, we will be back into the nineties, the dog days of summer.
Did you see how blue the sky was yesterday? It truly was that North Carolina/Colorado hue!
Did you get outside in nature yesterday? My early morning mountain hike with my girlfriend of more than 20 years gave us a great chance to look in on each other's lives and work out at the same time. Awesome!
Did you go to your place of employment with new energy after the weekend and carry a positive attitude, which we all by now know can be very contagious?
Did you help someone in need yesterday? I had the opportunity to meet Melanie, a homeless woman in our community and help her out a little bit. She is addicted to meth and we talked a lot about her disease and how it had driven her down in her 30 years of life. I am hoping that the little bit of time I spent with her will go a long way to encourage her on this new day.
Did you connect with any loved ones yesterday? That includes those that live in our homes and those that do not. I had the blessing of a long phone call with my sister, Laura Lea, an afternoon visit with my husband, and a one mile walk around the track with our Daddy, age 89, his 3rd time for the day!
Did you stop for a moment and utter the words: "Thank You", to the One who made us? As a 50 something woman, that has become my most frequent, through-out my day, prayer.
Now that I am in my fifties, the list of loved ones that never made it to their 50th birthday has grown longer. There is my high school friend, Kathleen, a co-worker and friend, Debbie L., a best friend, Jil, our son's 1st grade Sunday School Teacher, Julie R., our Pediatrician, age 38, at the time of his passing, Dr. E. Umpierre, a dear friend's 40 year old husband, Doug, our nephew, age 25, Brad, just to name a few. As I consider each one, with fondness, it causes me to "take pause", remembering that every day matters.
Just this past week, a local mother, Jeanette Prather, age 50 and her son, Matthew, age 15 perished in a family car accident just south of Atlanta.
Mrs. Prather's husband and 18 year old son, Stephen survived the crash. While we do not know this family personally, we know that they live just a short distance from our home and we mourn along with them. As I read about Mrs. Prather in the paper, it was easy to see that she understood the importance of making her days count. "Jeanette was a loving wife and mother and a loyal friend. She was part of the Outreach Ministry in her church. Jeanette had recently earned her Master's Degree in Speech Pathology so that she could help children with speech difficulties." And in reading about 15 year old, Matthew in the news, it became clear that his parents had already passed the baton of purposeful living onto their sons: "Matthew had a real heart for missions in Africa. In fact, he was scheduled to leave on July 4th for a one month trip to serve the children there."
There is a favorite quote of mine that comes from The Sanskrit, a historical Indo-Aryan Language:
"Yesterday is but a dream, tomorrow is only a vision. But today, well-lived, makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore to this day, for it is life, the very life of life."
Did you see how blue the sky was yesterday? It truly was that North Carolina/Colorado hue!
Did you get outside in nature yesterday? My early morning mountain hike with my girlfriend of more than 20 years gave us a great chance to look in on each other's lives and work out at the same time. Awesome!
Did you go to your place of employment with new energy after the weekend and carry a positive attitude, which we all by now know can be very contagious?
Did you help someone in need yesterday? I had the opportunity to meet Melanie, a homeless woman in our community and help her out a little bit. She is addicted to meth and we talked a lot about her disease and how it had driven her down in her 30 years of life. I am hoping that the little bit of time I spent with her will go a long way to encourage her on this new day.
Did you connect with any loved ones yesterday? That includes those that live in our homes and those that do not. I had the blessing of a long phone call with my sister, Laura Lea, an afternoon visit with my husband, and a one mile walk around the track with our Daddy, age 89, his 3rd time for the day!
Did you stop for a moment and utter the words: "Thank You", to the One who made us? As a 50 something woman, that has become my most frequent, through-out my day, prayer.
Now that I am in my fifties, the list of loved ones that never made it to their 50th birthday has grown longer. There is my high school friend, Kathleen, a co-worker and friend, Debbie L., a best friend, Jil, our son's 1st grade Sunday School Teacher, Julie R., our Pediatrician, age 38, at the time of his passing, Dr. E. Umpierre, a dear friend's 40 year old husband, Doug, our nephew, age 25, Brad, just to name a few. As I consider each one, with fondness, it causes me to "take pause", remembering that every day matters.
Just this past week, a local mother, Jeanette Prather, age 50 and her son, Matthew, age 15 perished in a family car accident just south of Atlanta.
Mrs. Prather's husband and 18 year old son, Stephen survived the crash. While we do not know this family personally, we know that they live just a short distance from our home and we mourn along with them. As I read about Mrs. Prather in the paper, it was easy to see that she understood the importance of making her days count. "Jeanette was a loving wife and mother and a loyal friend. She was part of the Outreach Ministry in her church. Jeanette had recently earned her Master's Degree in Speech Pathology so that she could help children with speech difficulties." And in reading about 15 year old, Matthew in the news, it became clear that his parents had already passed the baton of purposeful living onto their sons: "Matthew had a real heart for missions in Africa. In fact, he was scheduled to leave on July 4th for a one month trip to serve the children there."
There is a favorite quote of mine that comes from The Sanskrit, a historical Indo-Aryan Language:
"Yesterday is but a dream, tomorrow is only a vision. But today, well-lived, makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore to this day, for it is life, the very life of life."
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