tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80147454611494542802024-03-13T09:51:45.618-07:00WonderingwomanKimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596399231734936041noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8014745461149454280.post-1533058890576723292019-02-01T12:24:00.001-08:002019-02-01T12:27:01.012-08:00The Cross--Mine, Yours, Ours"If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself, take up his cross every day, and follow me." ~ Luke 9:23<br />
<br />
The title of this blog and the entry are from a book I recently finished called <u>Gathering the Fragments: A Gospel Mosaic</u> by Rev. Edward Farrell. The book is good but this particular chapter was, in my opinion, worth sharing. Here goes and thanks to Rev. Farrell for a chapter that was so important to me. Hope any readers of this blog find it insightful, also. Here goes:<br />
<br />
The heart of Christianity is a cross, the sign of a love unto death, and beyond into resurrection. I am beginning to understand that there is no way of following Jesus except by undergoing what he underwent. Unless I die, I can never bear fruit.<br />
<br />
No one in this world can escape suffering, but not all suffering is the cross. Suffering cannot be avoided, but one can escape the cross. The cross must be a choice, a free decision, or it is not the sign of Jesus' love. The cross is an invitation; each person must say yes. No one becomes a disciple without saying yes to Jesus taking us, blessing us, breaking us open, and passing us around.<br />
<br />
Simone Weil wrote,<br />
<br />
<i>Love is a diving thing If it enters the human heart, it breaks it. The human heart was created in order to be broken this way. It is the saddest waste if it is broken by anything else, but it prefers to be broken by anything rather than by divine love. Divine love breaks only those hearts which consent to be broken and this consent is difficult to give.</i><br />
<br />
To be Christian, to be disciples, we must deliberately choose to be broken. To embrace Him is to embrace the cross. The consequence of following Jesus is to carry to cross for oneself, for others, for the world.<br />
<br />
Sometimes we need to reflect on these crosses we carry in our world. They are not always as obvious as the wooden cross Jesus carried to Calvary.<br />
<br />
The cross of discipleship--<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>inward struggle with the world, the flesh and the devil</li>
<li>wrestling with laziness and inertia</li>
<li>so easy to take the less difficult path</li>
<li>so comfortable to join the crowd, to do what everyone else is doing.</li>
</ul>
The cross of fidelity--<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>to inner vocation</li>
<li>to hidden grace</li>
<li>to unused talent</li>
<li>to making decisions</li>
<li>to saying yes or no</li>
</ul>
The cross of ministry--<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>taking the initiative of leadership</li>
<li>giving of one's self to others</li>
</ul>
<div>
The cross of caring--</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>involvement</li>
<li>listening</li>
<li>generosity</li>
</ul>
The cross of responsibility for others--</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>those who turn to us</li>
<li>those we would like to turn away from</li>
</ul>
The cross of our times--</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>racism</li>
<li>war</li>
<li>poverty</li>
<li>fear</li>
<li>violence</li>
<li>nuclear threat</li>
</ul>
Under the sign of this cross I pray:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>In the name of the Father...</i></div>
<div>
I touch my hand to my head, recognizing that I share in the very intelligence of the Father, who is loving me into existence at this very moment; the Father who draws me into eternal truth and ultimate values through his eternal wisdom and order in all creation; his personal providence in my life calling me by name and giving me my daily bread.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>and of the Son...</i></div>
<div>
I touch my hand to my heart, remembering Jesus' promise that he will take away my heart of stone and give me a heart of flesh--knowing that he has a human heart always inviting me to learn from him, for he is gentle and humble of heart, forgiving my sins and asking me to be his healing presence for others.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>and of the Holy Spirit...</i></div>
<div>
I touch my shoulders leading to my hands asking the Spirit to energize my whole body and being, that I dare to believe and hope that God's power working in me can do infinitely more than I can ask or imagine.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596399231734936041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8014745461149454280.post-23281995066848657902017-04-18T18:49:00.002-07:002017-04-19T17:14:41.314-07:00Underwear is a GiftIt's been a long time since I've blogged but something has happened in my life recently that I wanted to share. A year or so ago, I read the book, "<i>The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up,</i>" by Marie Kondo. I had to admit that the book made an impact on me and I put several of the ideas she suggests into practice. I haven't done everything (I couldn't bear to get rid of a book I haven't read regardless of how long it has been on my shelves) but there are several that I really like such as bare kitchen counters. I used to be someone who had crocks that held utensils and other cutesy things. I thought it looked homey but, in reality, made it very hard to easily clean because everything had to be moved back and forth while wiping off the counters. I like this one so much that if I find anything on my counters now it is irritating to me. I like the sparse, "naked" look. It makes preparation of meals super easy. I don't have to clear a space just to fix the next meal.<br />
<br />
The suggestion that is probably the strangest to me but is the purpose of this blog concerns underwear/panties and nightgowns/pajamas. In her book, Kondo suggests gently folding all your panties and standing them on end so when you reach in to grab a fresh pair in the morning, you can immediately choose the color you want and style. Kondo also suggests that taking care of your undergarments (and pretty much everything else) in this manner shows you care about the items and respect them. It's hard to explain all of her theory in this short blog.<br />
<br />
I had never folded underwear or nightgowns in my life. I always put these items away in my dresser after washing and drying, but folding them? Ha! So each morning I would dig through my underwear kind of like looking for a treasure at the bottom of the pail. After reading her book, I thought, "What the heck?," and tried it. I carefully followed her instructions in folding (this sounds easy but takes a little effort since the amount of fabric is small and often slippery) and put my newly folded underwear in the appropriate dresser drawer. Next morning I got up and voila! I reached in and quickly found the exact pair I wanted and put them on. Seeing my pairs all lined up neatly in a row made me feel kind of special in a weird way. I did the same with the nightgowns and followed her guidelines on other clothing items as well.<br />
<br />
Kondo has received a lot of criticism since she admits that she talks to the things in her home, thanking them for being a part of her life, thanking them at the end of the day, etc. Many people laugh at the idea of talking to inanimate objects and think her entire process is silly. But I'm not so sure...<br />
<br />
Over the weekend my hubby and I watched the 70s movie, '"Godspell." We are both old enough to remember the release of that movie and there are several songs that have stood the test of time. One of my favorites is the song, "All Good Gifts." The song has a beautiful melody and some of the lines come straight from James 1:17, All good gifts are sent from heaven above (paraphrasing from phraseology in song).<br />
<br />
Well, after we watched the movie I was putting away my freshly laundered underwear. As I folded and stacked, I was struck with the thought that if all good gifts are sent from heaven above, doesn't that include my underwear and my other clothes and items in my house? Now many people might not think of underwear as a good gift, but why shouldn't it be a good gift? I'm thankful I have clean underwear to wear every day, thankful to have a bed to sleep in with clean sheets and blankets, etc. God gifted me with many opportunities in my life so that I could get an education to pay for these items but isn't the ability to purchase things a direct result of God's many gifts to me? So...if these items are gifts from God, doesn't it make sense that we take care of them and treat them with dignity? What if Christ walked into my house with a stack full of household items stating these were His special gifts to me? You can bet your bottom dollar that I would treasure those items and treat them with honor. Well, since God gave me everything I have either directly or indirectly, shouldn't I treat each item with the same level of honor and respect I would give something He handed me directly? I think Kondo may have used different words/phrasing, but the end result is the same.<br />
<br />
When my kids were small, each one had to make their bed before coming to breakfast. They whined but did it. I was teaching respect for their home and each other by creating a tidier home environment. I was teaching them (although I didn't know it at the time) to take care of the gifts God had given them. Isn't it important to make sure our children learn how to take care of the gifts God has given them?<br />
<br />
What about taking the time to fold your own clean laundry and with each item think, God gave this to me; it is in my safekeeping; I need to take care of it to honor Him. Does that change the way you think about what you have in your house?<br />
<br />
Most churches today talk about saving the environment, etc. Doesn't that begin with the small things we have in our homes every day? If we teach our children to honor the small everyday things in our life, doesn't that help prepare them to take care of the bigger things in our world?<br />
<br />
This in no way means that "things" are more important than people. But think of it this way, if you had been at the Last Supper, and the chalice was left for you to keep, would you take care of it? It's a thing, but it has been placed by God in your care. My underwear is certainly not the equivalent of the chalice, but it has been put in my care by God. I think taking care of His gifts to me is honoring Him.<br />
<br />
Praise God and all His good gifts!Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596399231734936041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8014745461149454280.post-77674322017440802402013-04-15T13:54:00.003-07:002013-04-15T13:59:02.764-07:00Second Luminous Mystery--The Wedding at CanaI haven't posted about the mysteries of the Rosary for quite awhile but one has been buzzing around in my brain for awhile. Here goes:<br />
<br />
Most people have heard the gospel story of the Wedding at Cana. It is often referred to as Christ's first miracle. The family hosting the wedding has run out of wine. Mary, Jesus' mother, tells Jesus that the family about the situation. Jesus responds to his mother that His time has not yet come. Mary goes to the family servants telling them to, "Do whatever He tells you to do." Jesus tells the servants to fill some jars with water and when the water is poured for a drink, it has become the best wine to be served.<br />
<br />
Much has been made of the idea that Jesus, even though He is the Son of God, does what his mother asked him to do. Jesus' miracle of turning water into wine is a miracle and ripe with symbolism.<br />
<br />
My focus is on the phrase, "Do whatever He tells you to do." It's easy for the reader or listener to mentally add to that phrase, "And a miracle will happen," "The water will be turned into wine," etc. But to me the important phrase is just, "Do whatever He tells you to do." According to Scripture, Mary didn't add anything to that phrase. We tend to believe that she felt Jesus would do something to save the family embarassment from running out of wine. And her pointing out the shortage to Jesus seems to imply she wants Him to do something. Did she know what He would do? We'll never know. But the phrase, "Do whatever He tells you to do," is profound even without the "and a miracle will happen...," "you will be blessed...," or whatever the following might be.<br />
<br />
Isn't that concept of "Do whatever He tells you do do" enough? If Jesus tells us to do something, we can be assured that, since He is the Son of God, that He would never lead us astray. He would only tell us to do what is good and right, kind and merciful, charitable and forgiving.<br />
<br />
I hear so often the prayer phrases, "If you pray..., then God will...," or a variety of other similar ideas. In other words, it's like a bargaining tool. We do this so God will do that. The problem with that concept is that bargaining with God can be extremely frustrating and can cause all kinds of problems. For instance, you pray, fast, etc., for someone and they remain sick and possibly die. Then we shout at God, "I prayed and you didn't answer." Exchange that idea with praying simply because God and Jesus tell us to. There's no bargaining; we are simply doing what Jesus said to do. Then, if things don't work out the way we prayed that they would, we can tell ourselves that we prayed for that person because Jesus told us to. There's no sense of God not fulfilling His part of the bargain because we aren't bargaining. There's no sense of, "I must not have prayed hard enough." After all, the simplest prayer, the one that comes from the heart is another thing Jesus requested us to do. He never said the one who prays the hardest will be heard any more than the simplest prayer.. It's not an "if/then" situation. It becomes an, "I followed Jesus' request and that's enough for me."Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596399231734936041noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8014745461149454280.post-49428900943160262032013-04-10T09:01:00.001-07:002013-04-10T10:10:07.370-07:00Inspiring ThoughtsCame across some lovely stories in old paperwork. They are too good not to share. Here goes:<br />
<br />
BE A QUEEN<br />
<br />
<i>Oprah Winfrey said the following in a commencement address to the graduates of all-female Spelman College in 1993:</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Be a queen. Dare to be different. Be a pioneer. Be a leader. Be the kind of woman who in the face of adversity will continue to embrace life and walk fearlessly toward the challenge. Take it on! Be a truth seeker and rule your domain, whatever it is--your home, your office, your family--with a loving heart.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Be a queen. Be tender. Continue to give birth to new ideas and rejoice in your womanhood. My prayer is that we will stop wasting time being mundane and mediocre. We are daughters of God--here to teach the world how to love.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>It doesn't matter what you've been through, where you come from, who your parents are--nor your social or economic status. None of that matters. What matters is how you choose to love, how you choose to express that love through your work, through your family, through what you have to give to the world.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Be a queen. Own your power and your glory!</i><br />
<br />
<br />
The next one is from an email that was circulated. Don't know if it's true or not and I'm not sure it matters. What does matter is the message behind the story.<br />
<br />
<i>It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30 am, when an elderly gentleman, in his 80's, arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb.</i><br />
<br />
<i>He stated that he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.</i><br />
<br />
<i>I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would be able to see him.</i><br />
<br />
<i>I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.</i><br />
<br />
<i>While taking care of his wound, we began to engage in conversation. I asked him if he had a doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I then inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for awhile and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease.</i><br />
<br />
<i>As we talked, and I finished dressing his wound, I asked if she would be worried if he was a bit late. he replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.</i><br />
<br />
<i>I was surprised and asked him, "And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?" He smiled as he patted my hand and said, "She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is."</i><br />
<br />
<i>I had to hold back tears as he left; I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, "That is the kind of love I want in my life."</i><br />
<br />
<i>True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be and will not be. </i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
ATTITUDE</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by Charles Swindol</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Attitude, to me, is more important than facts.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think, or say, or do.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>It will make or break a company...a church...a home.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>We cannot change our past--we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>We cannot change the inevitable.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The only thing we can is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>90% how I react to it.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
ALL I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LIFE I LEARNED FROM MY GIRLFRIEND</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>The best things in life are "girl things." Never break a date with a girlfriend to go out with a man. Great minds think alike, assuming they are female. An understanding girlfriend is cheaper than a therapist. You're perfect just the weight you are. There's a little wild woman in each of us. What's a bad hair day between girlfriends? Girls just want to have fun. Gems may be precious, but girlfriends are priceless.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
HAPPINESS IS A CHOICE by Lou Tice</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>What would it take to make you happy? Thank about your answer for a moment.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Now, I know some of you think that if you only had this or that particular thing, you'd be happy. Others believe that if you were only in love with someone wonderful who loved you back, then you'd be happy. And there are probably still others who believe that if God would work a miracle and cure you or someone you love of an illness, that would make you happy.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>But I want to tell you something. Happiness is a choice you make, not something that does or doesn't happen to you. You can choose to be happy right now, no matter what you have or don't have.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>The first step is gratitude. If you develop and heighten your powers of appreciation by focusing on the beauty in your life instead of the imperfections, you will be halfway there. I guarantee that you will see an abundance of beauty in your life, regardless of your surroundings or circumstances, if you will only look for it.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Once you can see it--appreciate it! Not just intellectually--let it give you real joy. You see, the time to be happy is now, the place to be happy is here, and the reasons to be happy are all around you. So--what are you waiting for?</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
PLEASE TOUCH ME by Anonymous</div>
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>I am your baby; please touch me.</i><br />
<i>Not just when you feed and diaper me,</i><br />
<i>but stroke my legs, my arms, my back, my head.</i><br />
<i>Hold me close in tenderness that says, "I love you."</i><br />
<br />
<i>I am your teenager; please touch me.</i><br />
<i>I need to feel a bond of love</i><br />
<i>coming through your hands, your arms.</i><br />
<i>I need to see it in your eyes, hear it in your voice.</i><br />
<i>Even when we disagree, some of me is still a child.</i><br />
<i>Please touch me!</i><br />
<br />
<i>I am a child with family of my own.</i><br />
<i>Please, put your arms around me, Mother, Father.</i><br />
<i>When my heart aches with heartaches you have known,</i><br />
<i>now that I am a parent, I see you differently, and love you more.</i><br />
<i>When you embrace your grandchildren, don't forget me.</i><br />
<br />
<i>I am your aging parent. Please touch me</i><br />
<i>the way my mother did when I was young.</i><br />
<i>My hair is coarse and gray, but please stroke it.</i><br />
<i>Embrace my tired body, I need your strength.</i><br />
<i>Please touch me.</i><br />
<br />
Another one with no title:<br />
<br />
<i>"Your task?--To build a better world," God said.</i><br />
<br />
<i>To which I answered, "How?</i><br />
<i>This world is such a large, vast place,</i><br />
<i>so complicated now,</i><br />
<i>and I so small and useless,</i><br />
<i>there's nothing I can do."</i><br />
<br />
<i>But God in all his wisdom said,</i><br />
<i>"Just build a better you!" </i>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596399231734936041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8014745461149454280.post-45057934119014348852013-01-05T14:07:00.000-08:002013-01-14T16:37:21.994-08:00"It's Going To Be All Right!"How many times have we said those words or similar ones to someone who is hurting or in some sort of crisis? How many times have we heard those words?<br />
<br />
When someone is hurting, they don't need to hear platitudes such as above. They want to know you understand their pain. Deep down we all know that eventually, "It will be alright!" But, in the midst of pain, sorrow, and/or suffering those words sound hollow and meaningless. I don't want to be told that, "it will be okay." I want someone to reflect back to me that they understand I'm hurting and that it's no fun.<br />
<br />
Imagine this conversation:<br />
<br />
You: I just found out my best friend has cancer.<br />
<br />
Your friend: That's awful! But it's going to be okay. Everything always works out.<br />
<br />
Compare that with this:<br />
<br />
You: I just found out my best friend has cancer.<br />
<br />
Your friend: Oh, that's awful. You must feel so much sorrow and helplessness right now. You probably feel pretty scared, too.<br />
<br />
Which resonates how you would really be feeling? The first one sounds almost dismissive. The second one sounds like the person is really listening to you and wants to share your pain. Which conversation makes you feel like you are really being heard?<br />
<br />
I see this type of conversation with parents and kids all the time and, believe me, I was guilty on numerous occasions. But don't our kids need to know that we really hear them? And, even if the boo-boo or whatever seems small to us, don't we need to let our kids know that we understand that the boo-boo is big to them?<br />
<br />
Another place I see the first conversation way too much is at funerals or other sad occasions. I believe that most people want their listeners to understand they are hurting. They know that eventually it will be okay. Even if it's not, there's probably not much they can do about it. What people want is for someone to hear them and share their sorrow and not reply with platitudes.<br />
<br />
So this is a challenge for my readers... In the coming few weeks, when you hear someone saying something about a feeling, reflect that feeling back in a supportive manner. It will feel awkward at first. Our culture is very good at teaching us to move on to the next subject very quickly when it's not a pleasant subject. But watch the other person's reaction when you reflect back to them that you really hear what they are saying. I can almost guarantee that you will sense an inner sigh of relief from your listener. It will be as if their whole being is saying, "They are hearing me. Oh, that feels wonderful." You will probably feel different, too, because you will sense a new way of communicating and understanding that you might have been missing out on.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596399231734936041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8014745461149454280.post-55000539471074476192013-01-05T13:48:00.003-08:002013-01-05T13:48:33.358-08:0021 Reasons Why the English Language is Hard to Learn<br />
<ol>
<li>The bandage was wound around the wound.</li>
<li>The farm was used to produce produce.</li>
<li>The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.</li>
<li>We must polish the Polish furniture.</li>
<li>He could lead if he would get the lead out.</li>
<li>The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.</li>
<li>Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was to present the present.</li>
<li>A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.</li>
<li>When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.</li>
<li>I did not object to the object.</li>
<li>The insurance was invalid for the invalid.</li>
<li>There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.</li>
<li>They were too close to the door to close it.</li>
<li>The buck does funny things when the does are present.</li>
<li>A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.</li>
<li>To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.</li>
<li>The wind was too strong to wind the sail.</li>
<li>After a number of injections my jaw got number.</li>
<li>Upon seeing the tear in the painting, I shed a tear.</li>
<li>I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.</li>
<li>How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?</li>
</ol>
Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596399231734936041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8014745461149454280.post-90210743785601811792013-01-05T13:43:00.000-08:002013-01-05T13:43:44.255-08:00Helpful tipsI found these in some old paperwork and thought I would post them for others to use. Here goes:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips.</li>
<li>Use a meat baster to "squeeze" your pancake bater onto the hot griddle--perfect shaped pancakes every time.</li>
<li>To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes.</li>
<li>To prevent egg shells from cracking, add a pinch of salt to the water before hard-boiling.</li>
<li>Run your hands under cold water before pressing Rice Krispies treats in the pan--the marshmallow won't stick to your fingers.</li>
<li>To get the most juice out of fresh lemons, bring them to room temperature and roll them under your palm against the kitchen counter before squeezing.</li>
<li>To easily remove burnt-on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on stove-top--skillet will be much easier to clean.</li>
<li>Spray your tupperware with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato-based sauces--no more stains.</li>
<li>When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead--no white mess on the outside of the cake.</li>
<li>If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato--it absorbs the excess salt for an instant "fix me up."</li>
<li>Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator--it will keep for weeks.</li>
<li>When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn's natural sweetness.</li>
<li>Don't throw out all that leftover wine: freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.</li>
<li>If you have a problem opening jars: try using latex dishwashing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.</li>
<li>Potatoes will take food stains off your fingers. Just slice and rub raw potato on the stains and rinse with water.</li>
<li>To get rid of itch from mosquito bite: try applying soap on the area, instant relief.</li>
<li>Use air-freshener to clean mirrors: it does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine.</li>
</ol>
Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596399231734936041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8014745461149454280.post-45492431987734443472012-09-16T14:22:00.001-07:002012-09-16T14:22:29.799-07:00More on decisionsI posted a blog awhile back on decision-making and I came across another article about the topic and thought I would post the thoughts since they, like the previous post, are very good. This summary appeared in the May, 2011, edition of O Magazine written by Catherine Price. Here goes:<br />
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<ol>
<li><u>Identify your goal.</u> As David Welch, Ph.D., professor of political science at the University of Waterloo in Ontario and author of <i>Decisions, Decisions: The Art of Effective Decision Making, </i>explains, "People who aren't self-reflective are going to end up making bad decisions because they don't really know what they want in the first place." Before you switch jobs, ask yourself: <i>Do I really want a different career? or do I just want a different boss? </i>Don't make a decision based on the wrong problem.</li>
<li><u>Eliminate choices by setting standards.</u> If you're trying to buy a digital camera, list the features you'll actually use. Any camera that has them is therefore good enough for you; ignore anything fancier. Speaking of which...</li>
<li><u>Don't worry about finding the "best."</u> How good you feel about your decisions is usually more important than how good they are objectively.</li>
<li><u>Be aware of biases.</u> They can lead smart people to make dumb decision. For example: We hate to lose more than we like to win, which can result in behavior such as holding on to a tanking stock instead of acceting a loss. We remember vivid examples better than facts, which is why plane crashes stick in our heads more than statistics on air safety. And we're susceptible to how information is framed--a "cash discount" is more appealing than "no credit card surcharge." Keeping biases in mind can help you think clearly.</li>
<li><u>Try not to rush.</u> People tend to make poorer choices when they're in a bad mood or under a lot of stress. When facing a complex decision, use your conscious brain to gather the information you need, and then take a break. Go for a walk. Spend a half hour meditating. Take a nap. Have a beer. The idea is to give your unconscious mind some time to do its work. The decision you make afterward is more likely to be the right (or at least a perfectly acceptable) one.</li>
<li><u>Don't sweat the small stuff.</u> When possible, eliminate the need for decisions by establishing rules for yourself. You will go to yoga every weekend. You will not have more than two glasses of wine. You will buy whatever toilet paper is on sale.</li>
<li><u>Do a postgame analysis.</u> After each decision you make, ask yourself how you felt afterward and what about the experience you can apply in the future.</li>
</ol>
Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596399231734936041noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8014745461149454280.post-33444331163871935162012-09-09T19:07:00.001-07:002012-09-10T19:52:36.583-07:00BingesEvery so often I go on binges and I'm not referring to a diet binge. My binges center more on projects. My latest binge has been to clear stuff out that I've been carting around forever and finish them. In the last month I've completed 4 large jigsaw puzzles, finished an afghan, started another, emptied crates of yarn to sort them out, and finished a counted cross-stitch piece. All this on top of working, resuming playing the bass and taking lessons as well as playing in community orchestra and being gone over Labor Day. I listen to audio-books while I'm doing projects so I feel like I'm getting two things done at the same time.<br />
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It feels really good to get stuff done and out when I've finished. I still have a lot of projects to finish up but it definitely feels good to get stuff done and out of the way.<br />
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What causes these binges to perk up in me? I've always been occupied with projects and stuff, but why does a "binge" start? I never know how long they'll last and I know that I'll keep working on stuff after the "binge" is over, but probably at a slightly slower pace.<br />
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Now my question is, do I keep the afghan or do I give it away? (By the way, it isn't lopsided; it's just that holding it up kind of pulls the yarn.)<br />
<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596399231734936041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8014745461149454280.post-61527856285058176232012-06-30T13:02:00.001-07:002012-06-30T13:02:39.506-07:00Comfort FoodI've been to several workshops on Stress Management over the years and I'm not alone in attendance. They are always one of the most popular sessions around. The topic is appropriate for almost everyone and it also gives conference attendees a chance to focus on something besides the career topic (in my case education). It truly is a break which is always like a sigh of relief. Besides that, most of the people who attend these sessions are looking to have some fun at a workshop and there's usually lots of laughter and good-natured discussion.<br />
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One session I was at several years ago brought up the topic of comfort food for stress relief. I had never consciously thought about comfort food being a stress reliever but since that session I've thought about it quite a bit and realized how true it is. The workshop stated that the top 4 comfort foods were chicken soup, mashed potatoes, grilled cheese sandwiches and mac & cheese. I don't know where the session presenters got that particular list of 4, but in searching the internet, these 4 appear over and over again on the top 25 comfort foods. In addition, those foods would definitely make my list of comfort foods.<br />
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I asked myself what makes a comfort food. Is it the taste? texture? smell? Maybe. But I think it's more than that. For instance, chicken soup. Is there anything more soothing than chicken soup when you're sick? On a cold day, I want a cup of tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. It doesn't matter to me how blustery it is outside, the hot soup and gooey sandwich warms me inside and out. Mac and cheese? Well, I've made several recipes from scratch but for pure comfort, it has to be Kraft Mac and cheese. Every bite is satisfaction.<br />
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Why do some foods provide us with comfort? How does that happen? After all, food is what we eat when we're hungry. We have to have sustenance to survive. So, how do we get from sustenance to comfort?<br />
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For me, I think it's because food elicits memories associated with the food. Like chicken soup when you're sick, I eat chicken soup and am immediately transported to having my mom, dad or Nanna take care of me as a little girl. I felt loved and cared for. Now, when I'm under the weather, my hubby fixes me a bowl of chicken soup and I have that same feeling of being comforted, loved and taken care of all over again. I feel better immediately.<br />
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Thanksgiving dinner is another comfort food for me. The smell of a turkey roasting brings back so many memories of sitting around the table with friends and family laughing, talking and sometimes, crying. But they are all good memories. My family is loud, rambunctious, has wildly divergent views on topics but at Thanksgiving we all get together and have fun. Everybody pigs out on turkey, mashed potatoes and, for me, the best is cornbread dressing. We play charades and then eat dessert. There are numerous conversations going on at the same time, confusion and lots of dishes to clean up, but it's still fun. We are family and that's enough.<br />
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Bread--is there anything that smells as good as bread baking? It makes my mouth water waiting to take a bite warm from the oven with butter and honey or jam. Mm...mm...good!<br />
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What's comfort for you?Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596399231734936041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8014745461149454280.post-82673214906995981872012-06-11T15:16:00.000-07:002012-06-11T15:16:01.851-07:00The Decision TreeA few post's ago I entered something I read from the book <u>God's Abundance.</u> Here's another one that is too good not to share by Carl Westling.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Decisions can be complicated enough, even when a crisis is not at hand. Regardless of the pressures, it helps us to think like a chess player. This is another brick in the foundation of our abundant life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tournament class chess players pride themselves on their ability to think five, six, seven or more moves in advance. This preplanning allows them to avoid potential pitfalls that would not show up in just a few moves. The winner of a tournament is generally the one whose moves are planned farther ahead than their opponent.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This same logic can be used in daily activities that involve making multiple decisions. One simple way of doing this is by building a decision tree. You may choose to experiment with this concept before applying it to real life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here is how it works: Let's assume you have been offered a job in another city. First, draw a vertical line to represent a tree trunk. Next, put a fork on the trunk and label each of the two branches. Label one, "move," the other "stay." On the move branch add additional branches sprouting from it for each added decision you will be required to make as a result of the move. Do the same with the stay branch.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Each added branch will have a name like: new living quarters, change banks, new friends, church, and so forth. Likewise, the stay branch will be labeled with your existing circumstances; same job, church friends, living quarters, and on and on. The number of branches for each of the forks will only be limited by your imagination and present circumstances.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Just starting to label these new branches will bring new thoughts to mind, as well as make you consciously think of the less obvious factors of your present circumstances. And remember, most of these branches will have sub-branches. Taking the time to begin sketching a decision tree will bring a degree of rationality to your ultimate decision, whether you are in the midst of a crisis or facing a decision in a non-crisis situation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you have asked the advice of others as yo build your decision tree, remember one important fact: you are the one that will have to live with your decision. Though your friends and relatives will help you consider options, you are the one that will have to determine the merits of each option.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As you follow through on developing this simple, yet effective decision-making tool, pray that God will enlighten your mind and give you peace about the way He wants you to take. By surrendering your own desires, He will guide you. That's a promise in God's abundant living program.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One thing I like about this is that it is not totally linear as a pros/cons list is. </span> </span>Life isn't always linear; there are a zillion interconnected parts to consider. Another thing I like about this is that with each branch and thought, the possibilities of other things to consider open up. I think this gives any big decision a clearer outline of what needs to be evaluated and decided upon. Seeing all the branches in front of you might make the decision easier with few regrets.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596399231734936041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8014745461149454280.post-90953951049850571462012-05-31T15:37:00.001-07:002012-05-31T15:37:56.162-07:00The Little ThingsI think all of us, at one time or another, forget that it's the little things that are often the most fun and memorable. For instance, my parents, hubby and kids LOVE our tradition with Christmas stockings. It's something that makes our holidays. It's a little thing but we all have fun, lots of laughs and look forward to it each year.<br />
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Well, I recently came across a little thing that was lots of fun. I picked up a book several months ago titled <u>The Pulpwood Queen's Tiara-Wearing, Book Sharing Guide to Life.</u> The book was written by a fellow Kansan, Kathy Patrick, and describes her life but uses books she has read as a springboard for various topics in her book. It's fun and enlightening to review her list of favorite books at the end of each chapter. She writes in a conversational manner and I felt like she was talking to me in a one-to-one conversation as I read the book. The cover alone draws your attention with a group of women laughing, wearing tiaras and dressed in leopard prints. Those women were having fun!<br />
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Well, I learned in a roundabout way, that Kathy's bookstore/beauty shop, Beauty and the Book, is located in Jefferson, TX. Hmmmm...we were going to Texas over the Memorial Day weekend. Would Jefferson, TX, be on the way? I checked Google maps and Jefferson, was sort of on the way. All I had to do was call the shop and see if Kathy was available for a new do at the time that we were driving through. I called and she was available. Wahoo!We were on our way.<br />
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So last Thursday we drove to Jefferson. It's a very cute town with lots of bed and breakfasts, boutique shops and restaurants. We found Kathy's shop and walked in. The shop is a riot of colors, books and hair salon stuff. Every square inch of the shop is something new to be explored and discovered. The books she sells are in a wide variety of topics and she specializes in new authors. Kathy can tell you in detail about most of the authors and elaborate on the types of books each author writes. She exudes enthusiasm about everything "books." She is also a great hairdresser. It was a delight to talk books and hair all at the same time.<br />
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Kathy has sponsored 542 chapters of her book clubs (The Pulpwood Queens) and each club reads her selection of books during the year. That's a whole lot of readin' goin' on! Her goal is to get as many people reading as possible and she and her Queens spend a lot of time fund-raising to buy books for kids.<br />
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Was this a really big thing, going to a beauty shop, as vacations or activities go? No. I get my hair done every 5 or 6 weeks. Is it the first time I've been in a bookstore? No. Is it the first time I've been to a beauty shop/bookstore? Yes! Did I have a blast? Yes! Did it take a lot of planning and extra money? No. Was it still fun and memorable? You bet!!!<br />
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I challenge everyone to find the little offbeat things to do in life, the out-of-the-way places to go and things to do and see what you find and discover. It's well worth it!Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596399231734936041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8014745461149454280.post-32757022269885914722012-05-31T15:09:00.000-07:002012-05-31T15:09:52.977-07:00Good for the SoulI've been reading a daily devotional entitled <u>God's Abundance--365 Days to a More Meaningful Life</u> edited by Kathy Collard Miller.The reading for April 2 was so good that I wanted to pass it on. This particular day was submitted by Kitty Bucholtz and titled "Lenten Sacrifice." I know that we are way past Lent and the entire Easter season but this article is just too good, in my opinion, not to pass on. I've been thinking about it since I read it and thought you might enjoy it, too. Here goes:<br />
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<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">During the Ash Wednesday message last year, the priest challenged each of us to give up praying for ourselves for the entire Lenten season. We were to pray only for others, or in Thanksgiving. At first, I resisted the idea. My husband and I were having some severe financial hardships and had just begun new jobs. It was flu season. I could not imagine giving up praying for myself.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As a child I memorized the Bible verse about praying without ceasing, and over the years it had become a way of life. I prayed for the people I passed on the road, the homeless people I saw on the street, my neighbor yelling at his wife. I also prayed constantly for myself; for finding my car keys, losing weight, getting to work on time.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But I could feel the urge to accept the challenge tickling the inside of my head. <i>Okay, God, </i>I relented. <i>I get the feeling You want me to try this.</i> And with that I left church feeling lighthearted and ready to pray.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I never would have imagined how hard it is not to pray for yourself! I came down with the flu two days later and started to pray, <i>Dear Lord, please help...John to not get sick. </i>I was driving to work, and realizing I would be late, began, <i>God please...thank you for helping me to be on time most of the time. </i>I spent a lunch hour working on a new book idea, trying to find that illusive thought I'd been waiting for for days. <i>Lord...Thank you for all the ideas in my head. I know I'll find the right one. </i>It was getting easier! While paying our bills, I thought about how much we were short and thought to pray for help, but instead prayed, <i>Dear Lord, thank you so much for always helping us and never letting us down.</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I prayed for others more than I ever had before. I prayed for my co-worker and her teenage daughter. I prayed for my manager and his wife and newborn baby. I prayed for my friend who was in a car accident, and for my friend who had two horses fall on top of her.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And I began to feel the abundance of praying for others and thanking God for what I have without asking for more: God answered my long-standing prayer to feel more peace and contentment in life. I am more understanding of people because I spend more time praying for their problems. I worry about things less because I "can't" pray for them, so I thank God instead for the blessings I already have. I am truly turning a new page in my life's chapter of abundant living.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I never would have imagined that such a simple step could have created such abundance in my attitudes. I challenge you to make a similar experiment. You may be surprised at how God uses it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I thought this was a simple and effective way to think more of others, less of yourself and have a greater sense of gratitude. I'm off to praying...</span>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596399231734936041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8014745461149454280.post-5020992084357913452012-04-25T09:10:00.003-07:002012-04-25T09:10:52.358-07:00Manners/CourtesyI'm convinced more and more that a lot of people should be living in pig pens and not let loose in the world. This becomes more and more apparent to me at restaurants and theaters.<br />
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After a movie (and my hubby and I go to LOTS of movies), the theater is littered with cups that often spill, popcorn, candy wrappers and other disgusting detritus. It's disgusting. I've seen beautiful new theaters reduced to looking like garbage dumps. Why don't people pick up their trash and take it out of the theater. At the door of every theater we've been to there are large trash cans crying out to be filled. Why don't people use them? To me, it's no different than littering on the streets/roads/highways. That is now against the law? People have to dump their trash at the next gas station or rest stop. Why is theater behavior so different?<br />
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Now, I can imagine what you're thinking...the theater hires workers to clean up. That's true, but isn't there some level of courtesy here that we can all take part in? The theaters will have plenty to clean up just mopping and sweeping. Besides, why should I expect them to clean up my mess? I should be responsible for my own trash, thank you very much! Is going to a theater so very different from visiting someone's home? I was raised and raised my kids to pick up after yourself at someone's home. When you finish eating, you carry your plate into the kitchen if at all possible. It's a courtesy. Does that mean that the host is incapable? No, it means that you have the courtesy and appreciation to be helpful and gracious.<br />
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Another time I see this disgusting behavior of trash is at restaurants. I've never been a server but I have a daughter and a step-daughter that have been. In short, it is HARD work. A server earns every penny because it is exhausting, mind-numbing, and often demeaning labor. Yet oftentimes at a restaurant I see people leave the tables looking like pigs ate there instead of human beings. There is trash all over the table, floor and chairs/booths. Instead of having to clear the table, I often think that a firehose would be much easier.<br />
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I understand that if there are tiny children involved, some of this cannot be helped but, even with kids, manners should be taught. Kids can be taught at a very early age that, if they want to eat the meal provided at a restaurant, they will sit in their chair at the table. They will not be half-on/half-off with food being dripped/dropped/thrown every which way. Lack of compliance will mean removal from the restaurant and losing out on the meal. This only happens once, maybe twice, and children learn the consequences of losing a meal very quickly. Adults can also learn that if they spill something (this happens to me lot), they can wipe it up with a napkin and try to keep the table somewhat civilized looking.<br />
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Also, kids do not have to go to every restaurant with their parents. Kids should be taught early on that they are not adults and that some activities (like fine dining) are reserved for the grown-up folks. We seem to be living in a culture where everyone feels like kids belong everywhere. I guess I'm getting into my dotage because I strongly disagree with this. I often see people bring little bitty kids into really upscale restaurants. It usually spells disaster because the meals are served slowly and the kids become impatient. The lovely, quiet evening for all the other adults in the restaurant is disturbed by screaming kids running up and down the aisles of the restaurant. Hire a sitter and, if you can't afford one, do some baby-sitting swapping with friends and/or neighbors.<br />
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I think it all boils down to the Golden Rule. Treat servers/theater workers and a host of other laborers as you want to be treated. Is that so difficult? No. Does it require some extra thought on our part? Probably so but it will quickly become habit and you will receive high marks from the workers you help out. If each of us does our part, we can all enjoy life a little more.<br />
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In closing, I apologize to all servers, etc., who have helped me in the past where I may have not cleaned up as much as I should have. You work hard! Thanks for all your efforts to make my going-out experiences so nice.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596399231734936041noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8014745461149454280.post-18133607710274878602012-04-20T15:24:00.000-07:002012-04-20T15:24:42.961-07:00To everything there is a season...and this includes books!There's a well-known scripture with words summarizing that there is a time for everything. It is also a well-known song from years past. I think most of us would agree that it's true. My focus today is how it also applies to books which may not seem that important but I think it is.<br />
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A few years ago Elizabeth Gilbert's book, <u>Eat, Pray, Love</u> was on bestseller lists and it was so well liked that it was made into a movie starring Julia Roberts. I read a synopsis of the book and the reviews. It sounded interesting, so I bought it and started reading it. Arrgh! I read the first few pages and was disappointed. I forced myself to keep going and gave up. I couldn't seem to get through a single page without forcing myself and couldn't see what all the fuss was about. Nevertheless, I left my bookmark in place and set the book aside. I'll try again later.<br />
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Later came several months after the first attempt and the "Eat" part of the book was so appealing that I could hardly put it down. I zoomed through it and began wondering what had seemed so blah the first time I picked it up.<br />
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I found the answer to that question when I started reading the "Pray" part of the book. Immediately, the book began to drag and I felt like I was swimming upstream with weights on my legs trying to get through each page. I set the book aside...again.<br />
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Several months later the process repeated itself. I picked the book up, started reading "Pray," and couldn't put it down.<br />
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I'm sure you can predict what happened with the "Love" part of the book. Same song as the first two sections.<br />
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After finishing the last section of the book I found myself wondering what the reading process was all about; why had each section seemed so unappealing and then, suddenly, so appealing. I'm convinced it's the "to everything there is a season" syndrome (or whatever terminology would be appropriate here.<br />
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There are so many times this happens that it's truly amazing. How many of us have heard scripture readings and church (I'm sure a lot of us know many of them almost by heart), and then one day, for no apparent reason, the reading pierces our heart and soul and there is this feeling of resonance within us and it's as if we have never heard it before. We are touched in a profound way that can leave us feeling amazed, awestruck, humble, etc. We sit through the rest of the service in a daze because we have been so moved by something that was merely a story before. We find ourselves wondering, "What happened?"<br />
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When I've read other books besides E,P, and L similar things have happened. I'll pick up a book that sounds good, my best friends have recommended and I just can't get through the book. Months and sometimes years later, I try the book again and wham!, I can't get enough of the book and devour each page because it is so wonderful to read.<br />
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Is there such a thing as "time" to read a book and "time" to put a book down or am I imagining it? If a book doesn't hit us the first time, should we forget it altogether or wait and try again? Is there some clue as to how we can know when the right time is? Hmmm...Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596399231734936041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8014745461149454280.post-5979764069401058282012-04-16T16:20:00.002-07:002012-04-16T19:41:02.779-07:00Grieving is a funny thingOver a month ago my oldest daughter posted on her blog about her grandfather's (my father) death. She talked about other deaths in her life and it got me to thinking (or perhaps I should say wondering).<br />
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I went to my first funeral when I was 4 or 5 with my Nanna. It wasn't anyone I knew but a friend of hers. Since then I've attended many numerous family funerals (father, grandmothers, great-aunts, uncles), close friends, and, unfortunately the funeral of children. Once I was the soloist at the funeral of an infant. I can still remember the pall bearer (there was only one) carrying in a coffin about the size of a shoebox since the infant was premature. I was asked to to sing "Jesus Loves the Little Children," and it was the most difficult song to get through because everyone in the congregation was crying and I was, too. Every adult there could only be thinking, "That could be my child," and the horrible sense of loss that would have followed.<br />
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But I digress...<br />
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When I was young (and I'm sure this is true with most children), it was very difficult to understand how final death is but as an adult the sense of loss is compounded because you do realize that it's a done deal. It's too late for so many things if you didn't make peace with the person who passed.<br />
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For those of us who are left behind, the grieving can work in so many ways and I think this can also be somewhat shaped by memory. For instance, if words were left unsaid, there can be the sudden realization that it's too late and that can bring on waves of guilt as well as grieving. In addition, guilt can creep in with the, "If only" thoughts. The "If only I had helped with..." or "If only I had done this..." The shouda', coulda', woulda's can drive you nuts and add additional pain to the grief process.<br />
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If a parent's death is due to disease and there is the long goodbye, then it's easy to find life full of "the last time." Since I don't live in the same town as my parents, I found myself struggling after every visit as my dad's illness progressed. I realized, and I knew my dad did, too, by the look on his face, that each time I left to return home signaled a possible last time. He would always (until he was too weak) stand in the driveway waving at me. And each time I would wave back with tears streaming down my face. Each holiday there was the feeling of being the last Christmas or the last Thanksgiving or the last Father's Day. It lends a special poignancy to each moment. I found myself intensely aware of everything he said and did as if I was trying to mentally film everything about him for future reference.<br />
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Growing up there is a sense that mom and dad will always be there. We know that's not true, but in typical human fashion, we live in denial over this; we don't want to face the inevitable loss of the people who raised us because it is just too darn painful. As we get older and our parents die, we become more and more aware that we are next in line, so to speak. When both parents are gone, we become orphans. I've heard this from so many people who have lost both parents. Sometimes they can't put it into words until the idea of being an orphan is suggested. Most often there is an immediate response of "that's it!"<br />
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Another thing that grieving can do is force us to confront ourselves and that can be particularly difficult. We may realize that we made numerous mistakes involving the one that is now deceased. If it's not a parent, you may realize you shouldn't have been with that person but, for totally selfish reasons, you decided to do so. Then when they are gone, you have to face up to your mistakes and realize that you not only hurt yourself by making the wrong choice, but you hurt that person, too. This realization is painful, humiliating, and downright disheartening. Then every mention of that individual adds salt to the wound of your guilt. Even if others don't understand this conundrum, it's a wound that festers in our heart and soul.<br />
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There's an old saying that "time heals all wounds." I suppose that's true in some respects but I think it also depends on the type of wound. I personally think some wounds/grief never heal; they continually fester and just about the time you think you're over it and can find peace, bam! something hits you and the scab on the wound is ripped off and the pain is fresh and new all over again.<br />
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Thoughts?Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596399231734936041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8014745461149454280.post-39895146743317607372012-04-16T09:54:00.001-07:002012-04-16T16:02:11.952-07:00Hunger Games--Is there something else going on?I finished book 2 of the Hunger Games trilogy on my way to work this morning (I wasn't driving). The two books I've read so far are compelling reads and I will start the last one tonight (I can't wait!).<br />
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This trilogy is the Harry Potter series of young people today which has me puzzled and maybe a little concerned. The Harry Potter world was magical and finding children and adults interested in it wasn't a big surprise; the world of fantasy has always intrigued humans. I'd love to have a flying broom like the students had at Hogwarts. Talk about a "green" solution to getting around--no gas to buy and/or exhaust to mess up the air. I suppose if everyone had brooms, there might be broom traffic jams. LOL<br />
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However, the world in Hunger Games isn't magical; it could be very real even though it's set in the future. Why are young people so fascinated with this series? Is it just the writing or is there something more? In the books, the people in the 12 districts are generally poor and powerless. They are reminded annually of their powerlessness when they have to send their children off to fight in the games and the fight is to the death. That's a far cry from having kids do some dangerous sports! The Capitol is always present and feared. Is that how our young people see our country today where the rich (and they are the very few) have all the power and the rest of us are pretty powerless? After all, this is what they see and hear in the news and, let's face it, the news is pretty omnipresent; between Fox, MSNBC and who knows how many other avenues are out there, our young people are constantly bombarded with this kind of information. Our prisons are full of the poor, the minorities, etc., and when the wealthy are found guilty of something, there sentence seems to be lifted, reduced or whatever and, since there are so few in this category of wealth, there crimes are much fewer.<br />
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Is the fascination and hero-worship of Katniss admiration of her and her self-determination what's appealing to young people or the fact that she defies the Capitol and fights back. In the books, Katniss sees those who she cares about singled out for torture and death. Are the young people of today thinking of this for themselves? Possibly suicide to make a point or bring about change?<br />
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These are all things that I have serious concerns about in reading these books. The books are compelling reads but their popularity gives me pause. Thoughts?Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596399231734936041noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8014745461149454280.post-71964580202878424082012-04-14T21:31:00.001-07:002012-04-16T16:05:19.624-07:00AnniversaryYesterday my hubby and I celebrated our tenth anniversary. Hubby did all the planning and we had a lovely day together; we toured the Crystal Bridges museum in northwest Arkansas which was the most beautiful art museum I've ever seen. We plan on going again next month when a new exhibit arrives. Then we ate supper at Ruth Criss' steak house. We ate filet and lobster Rockefeller. They were both sublime. The day was leisurely and beautiful. What a memorable day!<br />
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It got me to thinking of other anniversaries in our lives and how an ordinary day can become significant to us even if it's not significant to anyone else. For instance, I remember the days I graduated from high school and college, May 28 and May 13 respectively. Our birthdays are anniversaries of our birth. These are fairly major milestones. But I also remember the day my oldest daughter took her first step, the day I fell and broke my ankle, the day I had lasik surgery on my eyes.<br />
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What's interesting about these "anniversaries" is how our mind chooses what to remember and what not to remember; how our brain sorts through one event being more important than another. Some are obvious such as weddings, births, deaths. But why does my brain remember two surgeries and not the other surgeries I've had? Is there some specific thing that I'm not even aware of that make some more important than others? Who knows?<br />
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What I do know is that anniversaries recall a hinge-point in our lives, where, for one reason or another, our lives are changed irrevocably. It's a literal bend in the road of our lives with no turning back. I've been blessed in my life to have numerous bends in my personal road that have been wonderful and a blessing for me, the birth of my children, my marriage to my hubby, and I celebrate my mom's birthday since a hinge point in her life was marrying my dad and having me. My graduations gave me the education I needed to advance in my career and each job change has been another hinge point. I love to celebrate these varied anniversaries in small or large ways because in their own unique ways they have helped define who I am.<br />
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How many times do each of us forget to take the time to celebrate ourselves? I think it's just as important as celebrating someone else's anniversary. It allows us to stop and think about how far we've come and gives us time to wonder at how far we'll go.<br />
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I'd love to know what kinds of anniversaries other people enjoy celebrating; anyone care to share?Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596399231734936041noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8014745461149454280.post-22065474852460611352012-03-15T19:02:00.001-07:002012-04-16T19:41:53.015-07:00Time in a Bottle or book or storage tub or...I've been going through all my keepsakes and trying to finish up projects. As I look at stuff, I think how each little thing/object has some meaning to me and is a part of my life and I began to think about what a life really is.<br />
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I think we often state Tom Cruise is an actor, Meryl Streep is an actress, Mozart was a composer, Jonas Salk invented the polio vaccine and so on. However, I'm sure there lives are much more than that.<br />
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Most of us can identify ourselves by our careers. For instance, I would say I'm an educational administrator since I've done that for 22 years of my career after college graduation. But in saying that, I'm barely scratching the surface of my life. As I look through the stuff I've collected over the years, I can recall event after event, activity after activity and person after person who have all been part and parcel of my life. The little notes, cards, tickets, brochures that I plan for scrapbooks, the photos of families and the various collectibles I've collected all have special meaning to me because of what they represent--the wonderful, funny and touching moments in my life that are treasures in themselves.<br />
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With each move I've made, I get rid of more and more stuff and, yet, there is some stuff that I can't seem to part with. For instance, my school yearbooks. I haven't looked at them in years but, when I do, all the friendships and people I knew come back to me in waves of memory. Some are fantastic memories, some are so-so, some are yucky and some are plain "who was that?"<br />
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If I had to write my autobiography, I could begin with my mementos and then the rest would probably be a free-for-all that would include lots of flotsam and jetsam. Oh, well, it's my life and I treasure it.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596399231734936041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8014745461149454280.post-52358424640750203012012-01-22T12:05:00.000-08:002012-01-26T16:25:52.156-08:00NeedleworkFrom the time I was in first or second grade I have had a textile art activity in my hand of some sort. Whether it was sewing something on the sewing machine, crocheting, knitting, crewel, needlepoint, counted or stamped x-stitch, quilting, my hands have rarely been idle at home.<br />
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I often ask myself why it is so important to me and I'm not sure I know all the answer(s). I think it is mostly centered in leaving something behind--a kind of legacy long after I'm gone. When I go to needlework shows, there are usually displays of antique needlework pieces. I find myself wondering about the life of the person who made it; were they happy? Does the choice of design tell anything about them? Why did she (I can use the choice of "she" without bias because it was so rare to have needlework done by a man in years past) make this particular piece? Were they hoping someone would keep their piece and cherish it long after they were gone? Who knows? As I look at the pieces I have made over the years, I can't help but notice how my taste has changed. I don't get rid of any of them but I wouldn't necessarily do this piece today that I loved doing years ago. Also, I catch myself wondering who in my family will want the many pieces I have done. I have several pieces marked with who I want that piece to go to but I know very well that once I'm gone, everything is up for grabs.<br />
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I think the bottom line is that I believe all of us want to feel like we have mattered; that there was a purpose we were on earth and that our life wasn't in vain. For some of us, that's not an issue. I have serious doubts that Mother Teresa worried whether or not her life made a difference. For the rest of us, I think we all wonder. What legacy do I leave for those who come after me? Maybe it's my needlework--pieces of beauty and art lovingly worked. Maybe it will be the pieces I gave away.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596399231734936041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8014745461149454280.post-10024487997524210982012-01-15T21:00:00.000-08:002012-01-16T19:59:56.140-08:00Scraps of LifeSeveral years ago (probably about 20 years) I made a quilt using the traditional log cabin design with a pink/red center square representing the heart of the home. I didn't hand or machine quilt the pieces when finished. I hand tied it to finish it more quickly. Well, over the years the back of the quilt ripped and tore in several places. I mended it several times but over the years I realized that it had more mends and patches than whole parts. I put the quilt up saying I would mend it someday. I started to replace the quilt back last fall and am finishing it this weekend.<br />
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As I've mended the quilt top and taken the time to attach the back, I've had plenty of time to look at the hundreds of pieces making up the quilt. It is like a "scrap"-book of my life from years ago. There are scraps from dresses and blouses I made (I used to make almost all of my clothes) when I worked at the library. I can still remember what those dresses and tops looked like. Then there are pieces of maternity tops I made and wore through the pregnancies of my beautiful, great kids. Other pieces are from outfits I made for them. A piece of sailboats drifting across was a sailor shirt for my son. Another piece with tiny pink flowers is a little dress for my youngest daughter. Still another piece of flowered fabric is a dress for my oldest daughter.<br />
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The quilt back was in tatters but the quilt top, although worn, is still a scrapbook of many loving parts of my past reminding me with color and design of many wonderful and warm menories. I know that many people today buy pieces of fabric to color coordinate beautiful quilts and I will probably do that someday, too, but I wonder if any of those quilts could ever have the wonderful memories that a quilt made out of scraps has. How could it have all the loving memories that I have in each one of the pieces in this quilt? It truly is my own very special "scrap" book and I treasure every piece.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596399231734936041noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8014745461149454280.post-78750189085839625152012-01-03T13:47:00.000-08:002012-01-03T16:59:50.671-08:00It's 2012-wow!At the beginning of a new year, a fairly common tradition is making New Year's resolutions. Many are made and, statistically, few are kept. Here are my New Year's resolutions and they will be a blessing for me to keep. There's no point in beating myself up for resolutions I made and didn't keep. These resolutions will make me feel good every day.<br />
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1. Love and treasure my family--Hubby, parents, brother and sister-in-law, All in-laws on my hubby's side, children and step-children, children-in-law, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, aunts.<br />
2. Be thankful for the many blessings I have.<br />
3. Be thankful for the friends in my life. A true buxom friend is rare but a delight!<br />
4. Be thankful every day that I can get up and go to work. I have the physical ability to get up and the brains to get through the day.<br />
5. Enjoy the beauty around me whether it's nature, music or art. I will "stop and smell the flowers."<br />
6. Be thankful that I have enough food to eat and a roof over my head. They keep me comfortable and give me the energy to keep going.<br />
7. Treasure my strong faith and nurture and challenge it by continuing to question.<br />
8. Give myself a hug (physically or mentally) every day; I'm doing the best I can! <br />
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These are resolutions that I'll feel good and positive about every day of 2012.<br />
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Hope you can find resolutions that are things you can feel good and positive about every day, also. Cheers!Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596399231734936041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8014745461149454280.post-29490076461572876442011-12-15T22:01:00.000-08:002011-12-16T21:30:48.510-08:00The NativityThe story of Mary and Joseph going to Bethlehem, not finding a room at the inn and Mary giving birth in a stable/cave is a continuation of the Christmas story we hear every year (refer to previous posts).<br />
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There is much written about how Christ humbled himself to be born in a stable, there was no room, etc. What has always puzzled me about the "surprise" in all this is that being born in a stable or whatever and wherever was probably very common at the time of Christ's birth. They didn't have hospitals like many of us have today. Most births were probably at home (and not in an inn either) for rich and poor alike at that time. The wealthy Romans would have had more luxurious surroundings but essentially all children were born at home. If a woman was fortunate, a midwife was called in, but most often, other women were asked to come help a woman when her time to deliver came to be. If it was in the desert, the baby was probably born in a tent; a shepherd's child might be delivered out in the open. Things weren't so different here up until the last 100 years or so.<br />
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What has always struck me as interesting about Christ's birth narrative was not that Christ was born in a stable (which was humbling since it was God) but that it was so ordinary and that is the most humble part of all; there was nothing unique or outstanding about it. God chose to come to us in a most day-to-day manner. He was truly one of us not just in the physical sense but in his everyday existence. That is what is so amazing!<br />
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Our faith tells us that Christ is coming to us all the time; are we waiting for something big or are we looking for him in the day-to-day existence we all have. Maybe Christ will come to me in some manner while I'm doing the dishes or laundry. That's pretty ordinary! How could this happen? Well, maybe while I'm doing dishes I contemplate the water and how blessed we are to have water; how wonderful it feels when we are thirsty. Is there anything out of the ordinary about water? No, but that everyday, ordinary thing may have spoken to me about God for that day. Think how many discussions about water are in Sdripture; maybe while I'm doing the dishes, I will recall those Scripture verses and encounter Christ.<br />
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I have had some excellent examples of this in the last 2 weeks. I've directed my office to totally rearrange our offices. This may sound like a lot but not that difficult; not so! The furniture is modular stuff attached to the walls (I hate this stuff!), so in order to rearrange the offices since all of the modular stuff was configured differently, the modular stuff had to be totally disassembled, the mounting plates removed from walls, then remounted to the new office walls and the furniture reassembled. It has been exhausting. What could have taken a day or two if we just moved whole furniture from room to room is now going on 9 days since it is so labor-intensive.<br />
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But the experience has given me numerous opportunities to encounter Christ. As I've done the mounting and assembling of the furniture, I've been able to thank God for my Dad. When I was growing up my Dad was always having me help him work on projects. He taught me tool names and how to use the tools. As a kid, this drove me crazy, but as an adult it's a blessing that I know how to use these tools and am willing to try to do work requiring lots of physical and mental skills. I thanked God anew for giving me hands and a brain to attempt something new (I knew nothing about working with modular furniture).<br />
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Another ordinary way I've encountered God recently is in eating a meal. I think about all the different grains God created so that I would have breakfast cereal and I'm thankful.<br />
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I realize that we all want to see God in the "big" and "miraculous" ways but if that's the only way Christ comes to us each day, we may miss out on the myriads of ways Christ's revealing himself to us each and every day.<br />
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I'm anxiously waiting for Christ's coming every day so that I see how many unique and wonderful ways Christ will reveal himself to me. Maybe tomorrow it will be in my car driving to work or while I'm walking through my offices checking on everyone's progress. Whatever and whenever it is, I hope and pray that I don't miss it and that I take the time to ponder this new revelation. I want to savor every moment.<br />
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What about you? How is Christ revealing himself to you?Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596399231734936041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8014745461149454280.post-35019293589450396072011-12-07T07:42:00.000-08:002011-12-07T13:36:42.777-08:00The Visitation<div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Mary's visit to Elizabeth is another part of the Christmas story we hear every year. Again, how does this reflect on me and us today?</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">It must have been discomfiting to Mary's parents for her to take off in what, according to Scripture, was a sudden manner. Mary was probably needed to help with chores in her own household and travel was an expense that her family might not have been able to afford. In addition, she was betrothed to Joseph. Did her parents think it was a little odd that after a betrothal she takes off when she should have been preparing for her marriage? Did they question her? Try to keep her from going? We'll never know but these are things I would ask my own children. Here's what it would probably sound like:</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Me: Congratulations on your engagement! Why are you packing?</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Kid: I'm going to visit my cousin--the one who lives half-way around the world (that is about the distance to Elizabeth's house in Mary's time comparitively speaking).</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Me: You're going to visit your cousin now? What about your chores? You promised you would take out the trash today and do the dishes. What about your fiance/e? What does he/she (depending on which child I'm talking to) say about this sudden trip? Are you skipping out on your finals? What will that do to your financial aid and your scholarship?</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Kid: Well, mom, I heard that my cousin is pregnant. I know that she's 60 years old but miracles do happen.</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Me: Riiiiiiight!</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Kid: But Mom, I gotta' go. An angel told me to go. An angel from God.</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Me: Riiiiiiight! I think I need to set up an appointment with a counselor for you.</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Did my kids ever prompt me that we needed to go see someone and I responded negatively to them? Did I poo-poo or diminish their need and request? Was God trying to speak to me through them that someone needed me and I missed out on being God's presence to that person? If so, my friend missed out but I missed out, too. I wasn't listening to God's voice through others.</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">So Mary sets out on her way. Who knows if she was able to send word ahead or not? So Mary sets out, uninvited, after just finding out she's pregnant by God. What is running through her mind? Does she wonder if Elizabeth will welcome her or send her back home? And what about Elizabeth? This is how I see this in playing out in most homes today and, for example, my home.</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Knock, knock, knock</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Kim: Omigosh, someone's at the door. I wonder who it is? We never have company. (I peer out the window looking to see who it is or a car that I can identify.) Omigosh, it's my cousin Mary. What's she doing here? The place is a mess and I haven't picked up any extra groceries. She's brought enough luggage to indicate she's planning on staying awhile. Where's the air mattress? (I open the door.) Hi Mary, Come on in. It's so good to see you. You'll have to excuse the house. I've been so busy I haven't had a chance to clean. Sit down (and I quickly clear a place on the sofa). Let me get you some pop or coffee.</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Now this may seem irreverent and I don't mean it that way. This is a contrast to how I see visitors played out today versus the greeting Elizabeth gives Mary. Elizabeth opens her heart to Mary and Mary responds in a beautiful prayer of praise.</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Do we have visitors that come our way and, instead of rejoicing in the blessed moment of coming together, get flustered about groceries, the messy house or whatever? Do we miss the specialness of the moment because of all the extra stuff in our minds? What's more important to us--our house, our groceries or the person who came to see us? Is the visitor not just a friend but a special gift from God sent my way? If so, I better spread wide the door and welcome them in with open arms.</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">How many times do we feel a nudge to visit someone or call them up on the phone? Do we follow through or do we put the feeling aside because we have other, more important, things to do. Do we drop what we're doing and follow that nudge? When we get that feeling, is there a possibility that God is speaking to our heart that that person needs us at that moment? They need to hear our voice, need a hug or whatever? And if we follow up and make the visit, is our mind on that person, or whether or not the house is untidy and the cupboard is bare. Are we acting as God's presence for that person?</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">So, the next time God speaks to me about someone will I make that visit or brush it aside? Will I open my door and be thankful for the visitor or will I fret about my house? Will I allow God to speak and work through me and these visits? I hope so. I hope I can be aware of God's gentle nudges and respond accordingly.</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">What about you? Will you be God's visitor? God's visitee? </div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
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</div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596399231734936041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8014745461149454280.post-61304930008384416302011-12-02T12:25:00.000-08:002011-12-02T12:33:25.347-08:00The AnnunciationDue to my Catholic upbringing I am well aware of what is called the Joyful Mysteries of the rosary. The idea is to meditate on 5 different events in Jesus' and Mary's life. Often we are encouraged to see how those events are relevant to us today, besides the obvious, so here goes...<br />
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The Annunciation:<br />
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Every Christmas season we here in the Gospel the story of the archangel Gabriel appearing to Mary with the message, "Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with you." From that moment on, Mary's life changed in ways she couldn't have imagined.<br />
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But how did this occur? None of us will ever know for sure. There are numerous paintings from some of the greatest artists of the event. Most of them picture Mary kneeling in prayer looking up at Gabriel hearing his message. I'm always puzzled by those paintings. Mary came from a life of peasants. The idea that she would have time during her day to sit/kneel and meditate seems very unlikely. It is much more likely that Gabriel appeared during her usual workday chores. Did he speak to hear with an audible voice or to her heart. That's another thing we will never know. But this is where it gets interesting. How many of us receive messages from God every day (albeit not nearly as dramatic as this one), but are too busy doing our thing to hear God's voice. Our faith teaches us that God speaks to us but I think we often miss out. Years ago I read, "Busyness is the devil's work." This is quite in contrast to our historical Puritan work ethic, but I think the saying has a point. In the midst of all our busyness, does God time get squeezed out?<br />
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Do we have unrealistic expectations or limiting expectations of what God's voice will be? After all, God can choose to speak to us in more ways than our human limitations can imagine. We need to open our hearts to hear God's voice in numerous ways, always at the ready, because God can and does speak to us through others. I was reminded of this last week when I was sharing with family/friends an event that happened with my son Andrew when he was 7 or 8. I was sleeping soundly in my bed when Andrew came to wake me up. His manner and tone made me think something horrible had happened. With adrenalin rushing through my veins to prepare for whatever disaster lay before me, I followed Andrew quickly back to his bedroom. "What is it?, I cried. Andrew solemnly and with a beatific expression on his face looked out his bedroom window and pointed. "Look at the moon, Mom, It's so big and beautiful." I followed his gaze and it truly was a beautiful moon. It looked amazingly large and seemed to hover above the treetops like a giant, luminous globe. It looked close enough to touch but was so beautiful that evening that touching it, if that was possible, would have seemed like a violation. I stood with Andrew several minutes gazing at the moon. Then, I tucked my sweet son back into his bed and returned to mine with a very contented and awestruck feeling in my heart.<br />
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Was God speaking to me that night? Was I having my own personal annunciation of God's beauty and grandeur? Was God telling Andrew and I at that moment that we were special and loved? I believe God was; I believe God speaks to all of us every day telling us how special we are. Most of the time we are too busy to hear these special messages. We miss out on the messages that come through others, our very own "angels unaware." And maybe none of us will have Gabriel visit, but maybe other angels are speaking to us and we just don't know it.<br />
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What personal annunciation am I hearing today? As I meditate on the mystery of the Annunciation, I hope I can hear my own personal messages from God. They won't be as universally amazing as what Mary heard, but they may be just as life-changing for me.<br />
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What about you? What do you hear?Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596399231734936041noreply@blogger.com1