Peace and more peace and...

Leaving it up to God - words that bring music to His ears. As when more people allow God into their lives during bad times, as well as good times, well, it would be possible that there would be less for us to do for ourselves, and leave more time to do for others. More time to attend to the needs of a sick or injured child, more time to share a meal with those who have less, more time to be creative with finding ways to help others.

And, here is a possible way to help others and yourself while driving. There is something about getting behind the wheel of a car, when the foot touches the gas peddle it goes, push a little more and it goes faster, and a little more and a little more. There is speed and control at our fingertips.

When someone cuts you off in their car - thank them for not hitting you, relax again and carry on. When someone tail gates and drives too close, you might consider getting out of their way. They must be in a hurry and perhaps you are not. A gift to both. Those are two examples I can think of, and I'm certain there are others.

Here is a thought -- consider everyone around you - somebody's child, somebody's parent, somebody's grandparent, somebody's aunt, uncle or cousin. Or, if you are so inclined as I, consider them all God's children. It is lovely the sense of peace which is created, as I stop competing, and celebrate all God's children and all the differences there are with each. And, then as my focus is leaving space between me and other cars, I have the time to sing at the top of my lungs when no one can hear me except me. And, that is a good thing for all those around me. Therefore, everybody wins.

------------ Peace ---------

PEACE - What a seemingly simple, non-complex word that fills my heart with joy. To live in peace, to have peace, to be at peace.

Thank you so much for sharing your generous and gracious comments on the blog posts and the pictures. This one almost was not shared - it was viewed with flaws and lacking perfection. That is what charmed me most - as we fast approach Christmas Day.

I am taking steps to celebrate flaws and the imperfections in people and things. Perhaps that is what it will take for each and every person to be able to celebrate peace, live in and be surrounded by peace.

My wish for everyone the world around is that each person will begin and take steps to surround themselves to live in peace. It will mean different things to different people. That, too, is what I treasure most - differences. Perhaps that could be a place to start - to appreciate rather than the want to disparage differences. Celebrate differences and allow the candle of Peace to shine brightly.

Happy Holidays - Season's Greetings - and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!

Recalculating ----

The last two weeks vanished as in a blur, and I thank God for that. Many of the days were very unpleasant and emotionally draining. Yet, as stated through many blog posts, time does pass, and challenge and pain moves, eventually, with it.

Today, it appears that the critical portion of the recent crisis has past, which means that healing and health will return, day by day by day by day. Traveling through days filled with crisis and land minds, a GPS might prove to be a helpful tool.

Recalculating, recalculating.... it retorts as direction changes once again. When life throws a horrible curve in the form of a car crash, a fire, an unexpected illness, involving those in our lives who are so deeply loved - immediate emotions could bounce from horror, fright, to fear and concern, to dismay, perhaps back to fear, and finally to knowledge and understanding.
Each time recalculating, recalculating................

When I had that thought to recalculate - it also gave me a few minutes to think - how to get grounded again. It created a breath - which created another breath, which created another. The reality that when you think you have the situation or an event understood, are prepared and ready, it will be just the time when things will recalculate.

During the past two weeks, without being fully aware, my steps and movements were recalculating many times via autopilot. Now that healing is more likely, I took a deep yoga breath and will now remove myself from autopilot, and begin to be cognizant of the direction of my movements, goals and focus.

I was grateful for all the lessons I have learned. Autopilot was fairly capable, yet very relieved that I can now turn it off-- life will be better. Life is about recalculating, readjusting, and maneuvering through land minds, and lots and lots of praise and prayer to God.

Happy Thanksgiving

HAPPY, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!! Thanksgiving of 2010 has arrived.

There have been fewer posts the last few months, as my focus has more places to land. And the places have been joyful.

First, thankful to God for his unabiding (I don't think unabiding is a word, yet I like it) - never ending love and gracefulness who continues to mold me. He is with me when writing as I share thoughts and experiences with you.

Second, I am thankful that this blog, appears to be available upon demand. When the thoughts arrive and I want to share with you, it is here. I am thankful for the opportunity and a platform to write, and provide thoughts which I make without malice, in a clear, honest and light style.

Third, I am grateful for you who have commented and provided opportunities for more posts on subjects that were not on my radar. For sharing desperate days and experiences and sharing with others - we are not alone - everything we do will affect others - and by allowing others to see and feel, it is understood we are not alone. There is strength in wisdom, knowledge and comfort as others share empathy and understanding.

Fourth, and not the least - opportunity for love abounding has come from unimagined places and people, through God. As experiences unfold, I will share. The experience this past month was not through my design - it unfolded and has been an amazing, joyful journey which shortly will expand.

Suggestion: Share with others what you are thankful for. Take time to verbalize it, reword it, hear what it sounds like. Put it on paper make it your own - yet share it.

And, here is another - appreciate those around you. If they challenge you, thank them anyway. And, you can be honest - say this is challenging yet, I thank you. It might provide an opportunity to remove the challenge, and, perhaps together take steps to resolve it.

HAPPY, HAPPY THANKSGIVING.......

Patience -- A gift to yourself and others.........

Try it on, perhaps, see how it feels. Everything new feels a bit awkward. I put on a pair of new sneakers this week, and they were much better looking than the old pair for starters. And, they felt comfortable, cushy and soft. And, they felt a bit awkward, as they were very different from the old pair. Not "bad" awkward, simply different awkward.

Patience can feel like both - "bad" awkward and simply different awkward. It will depend on the area that you are testing patience in. With sneakers not as noticeable, as when taking steps to change behavior.

For example, are you in line at the mall during the holiday. Where does patience show up then? Not at all, most likely, because there is no room as agitation and annoyance begin to flow higher and higher within our visibility and awareness. Or are you driving to work, or listening to someone else talk, in a challenging relationship, taking care of others such as small children or parents.

The last six months has been an interesting time for me. From my Christian perspective God gave me the opportunity for a lesson, and I decided to dive in and see what would happen.

Thank you all for being patient as I have taken steps and been doing other things. For one, speaking more, and writing less.

Happy Monday before Thanksgiving.

As the holiday season progresses I will be blogging about patience and the lessons I have learned. The first lesson is to make room for it. Like anything else - take a look at your closet or the garage. Is there room for new clothes or the car?

Communication - Listen

Recently a thought occurred to me that regardless of age, one of the most important aspects of communication is listening. Whether someone is 2 - 10 - 30 -50 -80 - or, listening is one of the most important and often not thought of skills within the art of communication.

If a question is asked, clarification may be needed. Sometimes, and often, the person asking the question is not asking for the information that the listener believes is needed to answer the question.

Some questions are so simplistic and/or broad. Ask a question in return such as, "Could you be more specific? Or, simply say -- interesting question, why do you ask?

Especially talking with children when uncertain how much information to provide. Many times the person asking the question may not be asking for reasons the listener believes are true.

Take steps to not prejudge or determine "why" until know more clearly and understand what is being asked.

Changes occur each day --

Just look out the window if you live in the Northeast particularly. Each day another leaf is turning color, the temperature hovers a little lower and the calendar some days is flying toward winter.

Celebrating today the computer is back - have a new day job, started 3 weeks ago. Love blogging, yet does not pay the bills.

This blog does fill my heart, and continues to make it bigger with a larger capacity for love. It is a gift to me, as I continue to credit God and through His Grace. He is using me to communicate with you.

I know for a fact, especially with posts recently, that computers this fall have been having some issues. And, because of that, I am turning to revisit snail mail to deliver some messages. Those that are personal, those thoughts that occur in the later evening hours, those that are needed to fill a space, a need in others.

Consider it - yes it will be a message with a price (postage is $.44, greater than a few years ago), yet that can be part of the gift. Perhaps if more people sent letters, a price increase would be unnecessary for the Post Office. Some people might have their jobs saved. And, it can be done without a computer.

Amazing - in a small way. I like moving away from the computer a bit, some days the computer seems to be in charge of me, instead of using it as a tool.

And, one more note. I attended the Rochester Women of Faith event and will be digesting much for the next few days. An inspiring view to look around and see somewhere between 9,000 to 10,000 women under one roof all to praise, heal and spend time with God.

Blessings --