sometimes life brings us to ask the gentlest of questions

amidst that which fuels the soul...

A ponderance for Valentines Day...

As I come to this blog, I am mindful of the nature of Valentine's Day in its celebration of love. We typically hold the day for romantic love, yet too is there not such beauty in all types of love? ... The affectionate love, the nurturing love of a parent, the romantic passionate love, the love of friendship, the altruistic love, and yes, that which is most powerful, unconditional love. ... Though many may have broken hearts on this Valentine's from lost love, loss of a love one, or just hurt, yet too many have joys and gratitude that permeate amidst all the loves. I pray all who may visit here may find the love in your heart and that which brings you most joy. ... For Valentine's Day is truly a day to celebrate the precious gift of God... Love.

I heard this poem on the radio and wished to share. .....

May your days and weekend, be filled with love:

A Valentine for Jesus

Jesus does not send perfume

To linger in the air

Instead He sends salvation, sweet

To show how much He cares.

He doesn’t bring me candy hearts

In boxes of delight

Instead He always lets me know

I’m precious in His sight.

He doesn’t pass out pretty cards

Trimmed in shades of red

Instead He gave His life for me

His precious blood was shed.

He doesn’t hand out fancy gifts

Like we would send to mother

Instead He sends a message clear

To always love each other.
He doesn’t give me teddy bears

That whimper, “please be mine”

Instead He gave His heart to me

I wear it all the time.

He doesn’t give me roses, pink

For all the world to see

Instead He gave eternal life

That’s beautiful to me...

(Anonymous)

life views...

I was recently asked,

"are you a pessimist, optimist, or realist?... "

My answer went something like this. ...

I am an eternal optimist...

yet amidst my optimism

I hold to the reality of the heart

and believe there is beauty and importance in every step of the journey

amidst the sad and happy

yet too, amidst faith hope and love

there is eternal joy

The power of Quotes

Though I've seen the quote attributed to various persons... and reversed in order, ... no matter who it is officially attributed to, I find it beautiful....

"Dance like no one is watching, work like you don't need the money, and love like you've never been hurt..."

Satchel Paige


What a beautiful thought....
in these uncertain times
prayers to anyone who stops by.
Kringle

Listen...

I am mindful of the importance of listening, not only in what we hear, yet too in what we read. In this day and age amidst all the technology, I think sometimes society has made it easy to tune out the specifics of documents, emails, or any form of written word. Typically I teach in a graduate rehabilitation program, yet too I teach overload in our psychology department. ... Yesterday I gave the undergraduate students a survey form inquiring of their learning styles, comfort levels in class, and their goals for the semester.....

When asked,

"What would you like to get out of this class?"

One student wrote... "I love to run, bike and cross country ski!!!!"

Yeah, we need to "listen" to what we read!!