Living Joyfully
Helping Pets & Encouraging People
Tracks in the Snow
We haven’t had snow in a few weeks but one of my favorite things about winter is when there is a fresh layer of snow on the ground. This is when the sun sets the water crystals to sparkle mode and you need sunglasses so that you can look at it. It is pristine and beautiful. It is almost perfect, and then someone takes a step into it, or an animal runs through it. It has just been changed and can never go back to what it was before, which doesn’t necessarily make it bad just changed.
Just as the new snow shows off it’s beauty so can the words that come out of our mouths. They can show the beauty that lies within if we chose to show it. Sometimes though the wrong words come out, and the beauty gets marred, just like the footsteps in the snow. If only we could keep the ugly out of our mouths, but we are not perfect and so we trudge on and instead of seeing what we did as unforgivable, we do our best to mend what was said and work to be better. Just as with the snow, there may be footprints but what if they were made to get to the perfect spot to make a snowman or snow angel? An ugly footprint could lead to something magical.
I don’t know about you but there are days in which I get home from work or from some activity and I process the day and think about my words and actions. Sometimes it’s a “pat on the back” knowing that my filter was on and I didn’t act or saying anything too damaging or embarrassing. On other days it a “slap to the forehead” kind of realization that I said something I shouldn’t have and must apologize for it in the morning. I hate those kind of days, but I do have them so instead of dwelling on them and trying to make them like “new snow” I press forward and hope to find a way to create snowmen.
Words once they leave your mouth cannot be unspoken, actions once done cannot be undone. When we chose to look at the situations we are faced with and try and be as patient as we can be, and as kind as we can be, it may take more work but in the end it is worth it. It’s as if we overlook the footprints so that we can see why they were created. What if what caused the imprints was something of beauty? Have you ever seen a herd of deer quietly existing in a meadow? What if the snow that was disrupted was in a playground in which kids were having fun. What if the words that needed to be said seemed hurtful at the time to the one receiving them, but they were said to help the person grow and be a better person? What if the actions caused hurt but when all things were worked out, the people involved could relate better with each other? Until next time:
Did you know?
No one can destroy iron, but it’s own rust can, likewise no one can destroy a person, but his own mindset can.
unknown
Help keep Living Joyfully a place where hope abounds and people can find ways to see the joy around them
Help keep Living Joyfully a place where hope abounds and people can find ways to see the joy around them
Help keep Living Joyfully a place where hope abounds and people can find ways to see the joy around them
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Rae’s New Shine Children’s Book
One day Rae woke up and felt different. When she looked at the people around her they seemed to “shine brighter” than she did. When she finally prayed about it and asked her mom for help, she realized she didn’t know her own worth. She didn’t believe in herself and felt dim compared to others. Once she started to see she was talented and worthy her shine came back.
$12.00
I’m Here to Help
A few days ago while I was at work I was reminded that I don’t need to do things on my own. I was working with an animal in which I had to take some xrays of his mouth and then do a dental procedure afterwards. My patient was already sedated but I needed to get ready to do the radiographs by getting my proper protective gear on, set the settings on the machine and get my patient in the right position. I was doing all of this while holding my patient and making sure he was doing ok. Now normally I would have an assistant helping but it was during a time when one was at lunch and one was helping the doctor with another procedure, so I went at the task on my own. My patient decided at the point I had put him down for a second that he would try and run to the front of the hospital, which made a little commotion. My lovely receptionist heard this and came running. When she asked if I needed help, the first thing out of my mouth was “no it’s fine, I got it”, in which she replied “why are you doing this on your own? Let me help”. I would love to say I accepted right away, but instead I thought about it for longer than I should have, and then proceeded to accept her help. With her help my task went so much more smoothly and I was able to get to the dental procedure that much faster.
I am one who has to take time to process my day. So later that night after the work day was done I thought back to that moment, and had to figure out why I didn’t accept her help quicker than what I did. To be honest it didn’t take long to figure out. Pride was a huge contributing factor. If I was able to accomplish the task on my own it was another feather in my hat. I didn’t need help. Another factor was selfishness, if I didn’t have to spend the time explaining to someone how I wanted the job done, I could get done quicker with that task and move on to the procedure that came afterwards I thought I could be faster on my own. My friend (and my life mentor) showed me the errors of my ways when she accepted my apology (that I gave later) and informed me that we both have this problem in our thinking:
We can do this on our own, we don’t need help
What a joy stealer this statement is. We are not made “to do this on our own”. We were made with community in mind. A family member once told me about a problem with their car. It was something that needed to be fixed but the money wasn’t there to get it done at the shop, so in a conversation with a co-worker the problem was brought up, and much to the delight of his pocketbook the co-worker said he could help and even showed him how to fix the problem. Joy is stolen when we get defensive, when we go it alone, when we rely on ourselves vs. trusting that God will provide. This doesn’t mean we don’t need to put in the work. The provision can come from the people we have in our lives, in the moments we take to talk to someone, in the seconds we take to realize that other people do have problems in their own lives they are dealing with and it may not be about us. Accept the help, accept that people in general are good. Accept that Christ came to give us joy, but it is given when we accept that we need to trust Him. Ultimately my task that I was trying to get done by myself took longer, when I thought I could be faster. Ultimately pride and selfishness stole my joy. Joy was found when help was accepted. Joy is lost when you try and make yourself better than others, when you try and go it alone. Confidence in yourself, in your abilities is one thing, but confidence in Christ and in the abilities, and gifts He gave you is where you will find your strength and ultimately your joy. Use this to help others, it’s a firmer foundation than anything you can give on your own. Until next time:
Be there for others, but never leave yourself behind. Use your gifts and your abilities, but give glory to the One who gave them to you.
unknown
Help keep Living Joyfully a place where hope abounds and people can find ways to see the joy around them
Help keep Living Joyfully a place where hope abounds and people can find ways to see the joy around them
Help keep Living Joyfully a place where hope abounds and people can find ways to see the joy around them
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DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlyRae’s New Shine Children’s Book
One day Rae woke up and felt different. When she looked at the people around her they seemed to “shine brighter” than she did. When she finally prayed about it and asked her mom for help, she realized she didn’t know her own worth. She didn’t believe in herself and felt dim compared to others. Once she started to see she was talented and worthy her shine came back.
$12.00
Every once in while I find a book that is not a normal book I would read, but one that helps in expanding my “happy ratings”. That’s what this latest book was. It was all about things in life that could make you smile. Some of them were odd such as “clear umbrellas. Just because the sky is grey doesn’t mean you don’t want to see it” while others talked about how humans have the capacity to be kind and that it is limitless. Why wouldn’t that make you smile? The book was a quick read, but it did what it set out to do. I smiled at most of the entries that were listed.
Did you know it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile? When someone does smile it makes their whole face light up. I love when someone that looks as mean as can be turns into a beaming light when they let a smile come through. As I shared some of the entries of the book with my family members I thought about what it is that makes me smile on an average day. Here is a list that I came up with, maybe you’ll find some joy and even smile at some of them:
- Sunflowers: Even if they are the fake ones you get from a craft store. They had to have been the poster child of happy flowers when God was creating them
- Ice cream: Even better when your child announces that she wants to be a professional ice cream taster when she is older.
- Driving somewhere with your favorite co-worker, knowing you’ll get some free therapy and there is no way they can get away. Devious smiles
- What’s the longest word in the English language? Smiles——there is miles inbetween
- Getting a text from one of your favorite people
- Finally getting the package you have been waiting on, especially when it’s something you created yourself and get brings you joy just looking at it.
- Finally getting closure on a problem you have been working on for months. Relief smile
- Teenagers have a way of holding their parents in this state of shock and awe on what they’ll buy into. So when they think ahead and want to do something good for their future, you give your partner a high five and share a secret smile. Lord knows you don’t want to be cause smiling at something that they thought was a good idea, it may makes them change their minds.
- When a 5 year old decides that the game of the night is to see who can stand up the longest after spinning for 2 minutes there is this euphoria smile that happens that is mixed with laughter and stumbling around.
- Meeting a friend at a new restaurant and finding that the food really is good.
- When the speedometer finally gets over the 50 mph mark after having your teen stuck in the 35-40mph rut for months. It almost makes you want to do a triumphant shout followed by a happy dance, but a small smile will suffice while in their presence.
- When someone goes on a trip and comes back saying they have a surprise for you. That meant they thought of you while away. This warrants a warm fuzzy smile.
- Asking your sister or brother if we are meeting for our weekly facetime/zoom visits and having them say yes!
Oh I could think of so many more reasons to smile which in itself makes me smile. When the world is getting you down, or you just need a break from life why not sit and list out what makes you smile. I bet it will lift your spirits and help you realize there is more out there than the problems you face right now. Until next time:
Be a hand that reaches out.
Be a smile for those who have no reason to smile.
Be a light for those who live in darkness
Unknown
Help keep Living Joyfully a place where hope abounds and people can find ways to see the joy around them
Help keep Living Joyfully a place where hope abounds and people can find ways to see the joy around them
Help keep Living Joyfully a place where hope abounds and people can find ways to see the joy around them
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DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlyRae’s New Shine Children’s Book
One day Rae woke up and felt different. When she looked at the people around her they seemed to “shine brighter” than she did. When she finally prayed about it and asked her mom for help, she realized she didn’t know her own worth. She didn’t believe in herself and felt dim compared to others. Once she started to see she was talented and worthy her shine came back.
$12.00
The Struggle is Real
I absolutely hate to wait for things, especially things that are supposed to be fun. You know that time frame right before you are getting ready to leave for a fun date with friends? You can’t leave too soon or you’ll be too early but it’s just so hard to wait the last 10 minutes before it’s really time to go. Children really understand this struggle. Try telling a 5 year old they’re going to get ice cream but they have to wait until you finish the job you are doing. It’s like setting the timer on a bomb waiting for it to explode. I guarantee that little kid is doing their best to be patient but the struggle is almost too much for them.
I am noticing this in more subtle ways as an adult, though most of us are more mature than a five year old it doesn’t mean it’s not hard to wait. This last week I took a break from social media. I do this every so often when I start to notice I am watching videos of cute little cows walking around a barn more than I am interacting with my kids or my husband. It’s not that I mean to, it’s just easier sometimes to zone out after a long day at work. The downside is my family has now gotten used to me zoning out on my phone, and have created a pattern themselves of doing their own “zoning”. Oh the struggle, but if it means that I break the cycle and get interaction again, it’s worth it. In the process of breaking the zoning cycle one thing became clear to me, the things that once held importance in my eyes and the eyes of my family fell to the wayside. This struggle was worth changing but it would take time and of course waiting for habits to change.
The saying “if it’s important enough, you’ll find a way” speaks volumes in that it ultimately means the road won’t be easy but it will be worth it. As adults we wait for bills to be paid, kids to listen, and bosses to understand the struggles we may be having. We also wait for enough money to be saved for the trip we are taking, we wait for the “aha moment” we know our love ones will have, and we wait for the moment in which we can finally relax. It’s not as simple as knowing ice cream is coming, but when these things are important enough we will make them something we strive for just like the 5 year old. Christ waits for us as well. In the struggles we face on a daily basis He offers us relief. Every day we wake up and if you are anything like me, my brain goes into “what are we gonna do today?” mode. If there was something that bothered me from the day before it is in the forefront of my mind as I wake up from my slumber. That’s because it’s important to me, but Christ says to give all our burdens to him and he will give us rest. He is waiting for us to realize that we can do this. Our lives don’t magically become easier but the load on our shoulders does become lighter when we allow Him to help. He doesn’t struggle, nor does He loose patience in us. We are the ones that keep the struggle real, and the patience short.
What are you struggling with today? Does the world seem bigger than the capacity of your thoughts to bear it? Is there a pile of worry you carry around like a noose on your neck? The struggle to wait for relief may be a burden you are not prepared to take on. What if little by little you chip away at the waiting period by learning to release your grasp and let the strength that comes from relying on Christ bring you joy. Until next time:
Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let pain make you hate. Do not let bitterness steal your sweetness. Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place.
Kurt Vonnegut
Help keep Living Joyfully a place where hope abounds and people can find ways to see the joy around them
Help keep Living Joyfully a place where hope abounds and people can find ways to see the joy around them
Help keep Living Joyfully a place where hope abounds and people can find ways to see the joy around them
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Your contribution is appreciated.
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Rae’s New Shine Children’s Book
One day Rae woke up and felt different. When she looked at the people around her they seemed to “shine brighter” than she did. When she finally prayed about it and asked her mom for help, she realized she didn’t know her own worth. She didn’t believe in herself and felt dim compared to others. Once she started to see she was talented and worthy her shine came back.
$12.00
What are you hearing?
When I was younger I took swimming lessons like most of the kids in my neighborhood. Most of the time it meant walking to the community pool for the lessons and then we would get to swim afterwards in an open swim session. One of the last things we had to do to in our swim class was pass a test that would prove we knew how to do the basics in the water and not drown. For the most part the test was easy, but one of the last things we had to do was dive down to the bottom of the deep end and grab a ring tp bring it up to the surface. We had to show we knew how to dive off the side and thus show that we could hold our breath underwater for a certain time. For most of the kids it was easy, so I didn’t think I would have a problem doing it, except for when I did. After I dove in I was kicking my way to the bottom of the pool when I heard a pop in my ear. I kept going because I really wanted to pass this test (it meant I could get out of the shallow side of the pool where the little kids were, and go to the side where my friends were), which I did, but what I didn’t realize right away was that I did something to my ear.
I had to deal with the consequence of that action for sure but don’t we all? It meant that my hearing in that ear was decreased which meant I would have to work harder at hearing when people talked to me. One of the hardest things to do sometimes is to stop and actually listen to what someone is saying. It means focusing on them, and stopping what you are doing so that your mind can fully concentrate on what is being said. Sometimes that means leaning in, if what is surrounding you is loud, sometimes it means finding a quiet spot to fully grasp the conversation. My husband always knew when I was asleep with my “bad ear” up because, it would take him or one of our kids shaking me just to get me to stir. When on walks with my hubby, I walk with my good ear closest to him so that I can hear all he is saying. But what does it really mean to listen?
You know when people hear you, they acknowledge you in some way but are they truly listening to what you are saying. Picture a conversation between friends. If the person that is listening to the story is just waiting for her friend to take a breath so she can say what she wants to, is she really listening to her friend? There have been times when I will be talking with my husband about his job, or something he is working on with his motorcycle and I admit I get lost in my own thoughts because I have no idea was he is talking about. I am sure the same happens when I talk with him about my job. I am hearing what is said but I am not listening to understand.
My middle child is great at stopping a conversation is she feels she is getting interrupted too many times or if she thinks we are not understanding that she really wants us to focus on what she is saying. She doesn’t like to be talked over and will step away if that happens. Whether she admits it or not she has a pretty good grasp on making sure the conversations get done the way they should be. I really do love this about her because she knows what she has to say is important to her and so she will make sure the person she is talking to understands that as well. I absolutely love some of the talks we have had.
All too often if we don’t feel like we are being heard it’s a blow to who we are. When someone takes the time to listen and understand there is value placed on the person talking. When I talk with people I would love to say I give them value all of the time, but unfortunately that doesn’t happen. Hearing loss is one thing, even when it’s partial, but to loose out in really listening we miss out on who people are. Until next time:
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, and honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
Leo Buscaglia
Help keep Living Joyfully a place where hope abounds and people can find ways to see the joy around them
Help keep Living Joyfully a place where hope abounds and people can find ways to see the joy around them
Help keep Living Joyfully a place where hope abounds and people can find ways to see the joy around them
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Your contribution is appreciated.
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Rae’s New Shine Children’s Book
One day Rae woke up and felt different. When she looked at the people around her they seemed to “shine brighter” than she did. When she finally prayed about it and asked her mom for help, she realized she didn’t know her own worth. She didn’t believe in herself and felt dim compared to others. Once she started to see she was talented and worthy her shine came back.
$12.00
Puzzles
There was this picture I saw a couple weeks ago of a gal sitting on the floor with the huge puzzle in front of her that she had finished. It was a beautiful jungle type theme that has the different animals and plants that you would see in that environment. There was a lot of color and and lot of places in which the plants looked the same. This puzzle looked as if she had put it together on her kitchen floor just so that she could build a frame around it and keep it in that spot forever. It was a sight to see and the women had a look of joy on her face with the finished project. That is what I would call patience. It never said how long it took her to finish the puzzle or if she had help but I could imagine it took a lot of time and if she had friends and family help her finish it I bet the conversations they had over the puzzle pieces were great ones.
The thing about puzzles is you can’t really do them fast. They require that you slow down and pay attention to the details of the picture that is being created. While at my parents house my dad had a puzzle out on the kitchen table that he had started. It was about a quarter of the way done so my sister and my brother decided one night to sit down and work on it. The picture was beautiful and we were all for it until we noticed almost right away that the pieces all were cut into the same shape. Most puzzles have the pieces cut into different shapes so that it’s easier to figure out where they go. This one was a doozy. You had to figure out how to put the puzzle together based on the picture alone. Now you could cheat by looking on the underside of the pieces to see that they had numbers on them (not like a paint my number but more like numbers repeating themselves). So if you thought a piece went in a certain spot you could look on the back and see if it was a “1” in the “3” section for instance. It got frustrating real quick. We thought pieces were in the right spot just to find they belonged in another part of the puzzle all together.
I admit we ended up cheating to finish this puzzle but it was because we wanted to start a different puzzle that wasn’t as frustrating. It’s crazy to think that even if a puzzle piece is made to have the same shape as all the other pieces in the puzzle that is still has a spot. You can’t force it into a space that it doesn’t belong. With normal puzzles this is more true. If the piece doesn’t fit no amount of manipulation that will make it be right. Maybe that’s why when we were younger the puzzles we tried to do had maybe 100 pieces, they were big pieces and the pictures were simple to follow, but there wasn’t any challenge in them. As an adult those puzzles would be done in ten minutes tops.
Now picture this. In the big scheme of things our world is like a puzzle. We are all part of the puzzle, we have our own unique shape, though it can look similar to someone else’s shape. We have a certain spot we fit into and no amount of manipulation will change the fact that we won’t fit into another person’s spot. Our creator (Christ) is the one that is putting this puzzle together and knows what the finished picture looks like, but He is taking his time because He has no reason to hurry. Just like when my sister, my brother and I put together the puzzle there was some good conversations going on. We laughed, we talked and of course we ate snacks together. There were times in which my momma came and sat with us just put pieces in their intended spots, but it was more for the fellowship we had together that she really came to be with us. We took our time, I think Christ takes His time too because while He is working on the puzzle, He has fellowship with us. What an amazing idea. Christ never intended for us to rush through life, He never intended for us to try and fit in, He instead wanted us to stand out, so that when our spot was found, we would know without a doubt that it was where we were meant to be. You are part of the bigger picture. Until next time:
In every puzzle there are pieces that fit in the spots they were made for. In order to find those spots one must be willing to sit back and look at the big picture and have the patience to find that spot.
Unknown
Help keep Living Joyfully a place where hope abounds and people can find ways to see the joy around them
Help keep Living Joyfully a place where hope abounds and people can find ways to see the joy around them
Help keep Living Joyfully a place where hope abounds and people can find ways to see the joy around them
Choose an amount
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Your contribution is appreciated.
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DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearly
Rae’s New Shine Children’s Book
One day Rae woke up and felt different. When she looked at the people around her they seemed to “shine brighter” than she did. When she finally prayed about it and asked her mom for help, she realized she didn’t know her own worth. She didn’t believe in herself and felt dim compared to others. Once she started to see she was talented and worthy her shine came back.
$12.00
Storms Brewing
We have had some storm fronts come through in the past couple of weeks that could not be ignored. These are the types of storms in which you open your front door and the door practically gets ripped from your hands. The wind is forceful enough that tree branches fall, people get pushed around and when driving you have to counteract the force of the winds as they hit your car. Now I am not talking hurricane force winds like what the south and eastern seaboards get, but they are still something to pay attention to. Our storms bring in the rain/snow and if we are “lucky” enough we will get the below freezing temperatures afterwards that make what just fell solid and slick. Once again something to pay attention to, and yet it seems as though some of us still do not.
As I was driving home from a client’s house during one of these storms, traffic started to slow down near a curve in the road near the lake. As we were slowly driving the cause of the delay became apparent when the flashing lights came into view. Now luckily these were the lights of a tow truck but the problem it faced was still magnificent. There on the side of the road in a ditch was a semi truck upside down. The trailer of the truck was full of bags of onions which had been tossed and turned as the truck was rolled over. The cab of the truck was strong enough to keep the driver safe (I read later in the paper) but the cause of the rollover looked as if the combination of the winds being strong and the speed of the truck high enough that truck itself couldn’t withstand the force. A misjudgment that could not be overlooked as the expertise of the tow truck drivers was used to get the semi-truck righted and brought into town.
High winds and strong storms should cause us to hunker down and be more cautious, but sometimes we let what we have experience in the past, and what we know of our abilities to overcome storms cloud our judgements. We hear the warnings, we look to our weather apps, but yet we still wear shorts, and complain about being cold. This coming week the church that my family and I attend will be doing a week of fasting. In the past I have gone without food for a week and grew a lot in my ability to trust that God gives strength and that He is in control. This time it will be a different type of fast that I need to do, because what I need to fast from is not food but more what I allow my eyes to feast upon. Over the last few years I have seen what social media and the internet can do, based on what I allow myself and my family to get drawn into. I admit that my ability to always monitor what my kids see is not great, and because of that, what they see as their world view has been hand fed to them by the people they love to watch. Do you see the storm brewing? My husband and I have allowed the same to happen with us and how we see the world. How did something as free as the internet bind us so well with chains?
We did not heed to the warnings. We let the fact that we have time on our hands and boredom abounding drag us to the one thing that can be mind numbing. So this coming week is a week of fasting from social media and the internet as much as can be done, based on what I need to use for work. Just as with fasting from food, there is a withdrawal period. But this is where the strength of my faith comes into play. The first thing I pray will happen is that I will be humbled. Struggling with “figuring it out myself” is huge. Dismissing help from others because “they just don’t get it” is huge. Christ was the Prince of Peace and Lord of Lords. He chose to be humbled and to become man. When we let our world views, our lifestyles and our thoughts separate us from Christ we are not going to find peace or joy. As humbling as this is God does not need us to praise Him. Think about this, even if we chose to stop praising him, nature itself will cry out.
Think about this too: How sad it would be, how sad our lives would be if we missed Jesus because of ourselves. When we don’t like what He means in our lives, or when we don’t like what we hear, we miss HIM! He chooses how He comes in our lives and sometimes it’s in the still, small whisper. Sometimes it’s in the roar of the wind. He alone knows how to get our attention, but when we make our worlds so loud with noise, we can’t hear Him, even if He is banging on our door. When we feel alone, when we feel as if the storms in our lives are too strong for us to handle, this is when we need to humble ourselves and see that we either made Christ too small or we perceive our problems to be too big for Him. Until next time:
You don’t have to be powerful, or forceful in order to get what you want. The Grand Canyon was not formed in a day. It was formed over time by a river that just flowed. Force was not used, but rather the steady stream of water with time.
We need to be steadfast in our faith, and over time the sharp edges of our hearts will turn smooth, and our faith will be our strength. Unknown
Help keep Living Joyfully a place where hope abounds and people can find ways to see the joy around them
Help keep Living Joyfully a place where hope abounds and people can find ways to see the joy around them
Help keep Living Joyfully a place where hope abounds and people can find ways to see the joy around them
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
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DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlyRae’s New Shine Children’s Book
One day Rae woke up and felt different. When she looked at the people around her they seemed to “shine brighter” than she did. When she finally prayed about it and asked her mom for help, she realized she didn’t know her own worth. She didn’t believe in herself and felt dim compared to others. Once she started to see she was talented and worthy her shine came back.
$12.00
It’s the Little Things
I finally had a chance to slow down enough to go out with a girlfriend recently. It was what my heart needed not only because she is an amazing person, but because in visiting with her she humbled me without even knowing it. We had both gotten off of work and met at a restaurant that is an original in our town and has pretty decent food but ultimately has a waitress that we love to have as “ours”. As my friend and I were visiting she saw someone else she knew at the restaurant. To see her face light up when she caught their attention was awesome. She truly cared and was interested in how they were doing including saying something about their adorable grandchildren. This is not a new thing with her, she is so very caring and speaks her mind, which brings up the part in which she humbled me.
As we were visiting I was telling her of some difficult situations I was dealing with and some of the people that were involved. She listened, and she let me vent, but what I noticed afterwards (only because it takes me a little while to process) is that she never once spoke ill or bad about anyone that she and I talked about. That is conviction without saying a word, and very humbling since I am nowhere near perfect, nor is she, but she helped in making me see that grumbling is not the answer, and trying to be more gracious is what I should be trying to do. Now if she reads this she may be thinking “I did that?!?” Yes, my friend you did without even knowing it.
I am obviously a hard headed person because I had to re-learn that same lesson the next day when while I was at work. I had to take care of a situation but I didn’t do it in the most gracious manner and there were people in the room that had listening ears. It’s so hard to say I will never have that attitude again or I won’t ever think of that person like that again, because saying never ultimately sets you up for failure. We are all sinful creatures and mess up a lot. What I tend to do is put myself above others (most of the time not seeing I am doing it until afterwards) by saying things like “oh, I wouldn’t do it that way” or ” what was that person thinking?” or even ” why wouldn’t they do it this way?” Ding, ding, ding somewhere along the way I did something differently than someone else and they said these things about me. Once again after processing what I did and said I had to allow humbleness to pour over me and I had to admit I am far from perfect.
So why is it that we want to make ourselves seem better than someone else? We bring up the negative way before we bring up the positive. A major part is because our brains are wired that way, we have to see what is out there that can harm us so we survive better. The downside is that while we are doing this we are missing out on the positive that is all around us. I love being around people that find joy in their surroundings. People that can give hugs while also letting you know you need to “temper down” are lifesavers. People who humble you and convict you without even realizing it are like diamonds that sparkle in the light. I would love to say that I won’t need to be knocked in the head again because of something I said or did, but I do hope that I have more “little things” that I do to help people than I have reasons to be convicted. While I was at work I walked passed a saying that had been framed. I never really paid attention to it until today but I will use it to end my post. Until next time:
There comes a time in all our lives when nothing seems to blend. When all the world is frowning, that’s when we need a friend.
Someone who’ll sit and listen, and perhaps add a word or two. Who with kindness hears your troubles, who we know have troubles too.
So we then owe that someone a few precious moments when we listen to their troubles, that’s the measure of a real friend.
Now the scales are balanced, and when all is said and done, our troubles seem so very small that means we both have won.
Clayton Hobart Fox
Help keep Living Joyfully a place where hope abounds and people can find ways to see the joy around them
Help keep Living Joyfully a place where hope abounds and people can find ways to see the joy around them
Help keep Living Joyfully a place where hope abounds and people can find ways to see the joy around them
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DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlyRae’s New Shine Children’s Book
One day Rae woke up and felt different. When she looked at the people around her they seemed to “shine brighter” than she did. When she finally prayed about it and asked her mom for help, she realized she didn’t know her own worth. She didn’t believe in herself and felt dim compared to others. Once she started to see she was talented and worthy her shine came back.
$12.00
Simple
Today as I woke up to a new morning, it was filled with the smell of coffee and bacon. As I layed there trying to wake up and not get pounced on by the white furry ball of energy (Charlie) I realized that life is good. It’s full and it’s busy, I need to spend more time with my family, walk the dogs more and stop watching the reels on Instagram so much, but it is good. When we were celebrating Christmas last week with our extended family it hit me while we were at church for the Christmas Eve service that if I follow the two most important commandments that Christ gave: Love the Lord you God with all you heart, soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself, the rest of what is going on fades away.
So as we were singing the songs from the hymnal I was enjoying the bobbing Christmas trees that were a part of the headband the organist was wearing. I was enjoying the fact that my family was singing along and letting the simple message wash over them. What could be simpler than the story of Christ birth and having shepherds, not scholars be the ones that get to tell the people in the town? Love your neighbor as yourself. What a simple command. What a simple way to start the new year too.
Our new year started with a cold but clear and beautiful day. I had just sent out my Happy New Year post, and was scrolling through and came upon a post that was tagged with my sister in it. It was showing a family with young kids celebrating New Years Eve with confetti poppers, a balloon clock to help count down and delicious looking food on their table. This was all wonderful to see, but the best part was the laughter of the kids in the little video, and the smiles on the adult’s faces as they looked on. I can imagine they had a fun night together. Simply loving their neighbors.
Today we will be taking down the Christmas decorations. The week will bring work, school and responsibilities. My son asked me what my New Year’s Resolutions are and normally I don’t do them but I think this year it will be to spend more time, quality time, with my family. The world will always have something going on, something for us to rejoice over or fret over. My family, and the quality time I can have with them will not always be there. The realization of this fact will hit me harder and harder this year as my oldest will start her last year of high school, and my youngest starts jr. high. I don’t want to miss any more of their lives than I already have to with life responsibilities, so I will strive for the simple. Love my family the way I would want to be loved. Put the phone down, stop making excuses and simply enjoy. Plan the trips and make them happen.
Christ, in everything He did, used love as His foundation. Simple. He didn’t overcomplicate things. Someone wanted healing, He forgave their sins. Someone wanted to follow Him, He said take up your cross. He loved the poor and the rich. He ate with sinners, and healed because of a person’s faith, or lack thereof. We are called to the simple. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself. Until next time:
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that’s creativity.
Charles Mingus
Help keep Living Joyfully a place where hope abounds and people can find ways to see the joy around them
Help keep Living Joyfully a place where hope abounds and people can find ways to see the joy around them
Help keep Living Joyfully a place where hope abounds and people can find ways to see the joy around them
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
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DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearly
Rae’s New Shine Children’s Book
One day Rae woke up and felt different. When she looked at the people around her they seemed to “shine brighter” than she did. When she finally prayed about it and asked her mom for help, she realized she didn’t know her own worth. She didn’t believe in herself and felt dim compared to others. Once she started to see she was talented and worthy her shine came back.
$12.00
What is Beautiful?
A couple of weeks ago we had some pretty big storms come through our area. They dropped a lot of snow and then the temperatures dropped down to below freezing. It made for some days that made me want to stay inside where it was warm and cozy, but life told me I must leave my warm house and get outside. I will be the first to admit I hate being cold, but I still absolutely love how the environment changes when there is a layer of snow on top of it. So as I was driving to work I was caught in the middle of this winter wonderland in which the road looked as if it was caught in between towering trees set there to protect whatever happened to be under them. It was beautiful.
This got me thinking about what is beautiful. What makes someone stop and stare? As I drove into work I was in the middle of the winter wonderland but once I arrived the beauty that I encountered was different. One of my co-workers was able to sit with one of our hospital cats and pet her. It was simple, but it was sweet. It is a beautiful thing to be chosen by a cat. We have a cat at home Lily who basically rules my daughter’s life. The smile that is on her face when we talk about Lily or any cat in particular makes her radiate. I am talking about a teen here, getting them to do anything really is nearly impossible, but if Lily needs something, including a bath, my daughter happily obliges. This is beauty.
Beauty can be seen in the words we read. If you have ever read the story of Christ’s birth, or the book Jane Eyre, or had someone create a handmade card for you, there is so much worth, and love that comes from what we read. I once read a book about the importance of our thoughts and how the words we speak to ourselves and others can have a huge impact on how we see ourselves and people in general. If I allow harsh words and negativity to come out of my mouth all the time I turn into the ugly those words portray. On the flip side, positive and encouraging words can make the most negative around us think twice. Beauty is from within. The words that come from our mouths show what is in our hearts. This is beauty.
Beauty is definitely found in the simple. I have a pittie dog who has the most beautiful chocolate colored eyes. When she looks at you, you are never really sure if she is ready to pounce or just wants to snuggle, but if you chose correctly she gives you exactly what you need. The “Pittie smile” she has is just as beautiful as when she lays down next to me and lets me twirl her floppy ears. Beauty is the Christmas tree that is too big for the living room but it still seems to fit. A friend of mine will make her mom’s famous cinnamon roles mainly because it reminds her of her mom, this same friend has sent texts to me at random times letting me know how special she thinks I am. All of this is beautiful. Beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder, and when it can be shared it makes it special.
Have you ever stopped long enough to think about what is beautiful? Do you create beauty in your world? What would happen if you tried these things? A new year is approaching soon. For the most of us life will not change much when it does get here, but what if instead of keeping with the “same” you tried to find the beauty around you? Until next time:
To laugh often and much; To in the respect of the intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Help keep Living Joyfully a place where hope abounds and people can find ways to see the joy around them
Help keep Living Joyfully a place where hope abounds and people can find ways to see the joy around them
Help keep Living Joyfully a place where hope abounds and people can find ways to see the joy around them
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlyRae’s New Shine Children’s Book
One day Rae woke up and felt different. When she looked at the people around her they seemed to “shine brighter” than she did. When she finally prayed about it and asked her mom for help, she realized she didn’t know her own worth. She didn’t believe in herself and felt dim compared to others. Once she started to see she was talented and worthy her shine came back.
$12.00
Rae's New Shine Childrens Book
One day Rae woke up and felt different. When she looked at the people around her they seemed to “shine brighter” than she did. When she finally prayed about it and asked her mom for help, she realized she didn’t know her own worth. She didn’t believe in herself and felt dim compared to others. Once she started to see she was talented and worthy her shine came back.
$12.00
Living Joyfully 