A Break in the Day... For thoughts on Stress

As I take a brief break I ponder the fact that there are certain things in life that are sure to bring stress.. and perhaps at times there are many good stressors (also known as eustress). ... yet sometimes events occur that perhaps put us on the fine line of whether or not to stress about them... it is with these we have a choice. Sometimes writing, reading and praying about them brings perspective.... sometimes we act too quickly.. sometimes we dwell too much. I am mindful of the importance of faith, hope, love, friendship, and taking occasional breaks in the day so as not to stress out about that which may bring stress, but to focus on the positive, the situation, and come up with solutions. Such solutions may be directed at the self, and/ or others. Yet sometimes we need to pause, breathe, go for a run, pray, or just take a step back to ponder that which brings unrest to the heart and soul. Just a little food for thought.

"There are thousands of causes for stress... one antidote to stress is self expression."

(Garson Kanin)...

Perhaps the blog and personal journals are one beautiful venue for self expression?!

Blessings to anyone who stops by

Kringle

A quote that moves me...

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."

Aesop (620 BC - 560 BC), The Lion and the Mouse

prayer request

Greetings to Any Blog Visitors...

Both Minnesota and North Dakota residents are scrambling as the flooding paired with difficult weather has caused much damage already and the flood waters have not yet peaked. Thankfully many of the hospital and nursing home residents have been evacuated, yet too we need to pray for the safety of all and that the damage will be minimized. Any prayers would be appreciated...

Thank You and Blessings

Kringle

(Photo courtesy Mn TPT)

The Power in Music... Who am I

As a familiar song unexpectedly came on the radio, I fought back tears related to its power, its beauty, and special memories of a shared time that forever touched the soul. ... Is not the power and beauty of music wonderful? ... And too this music relates to the precious love of God through our strengths, our joys, our vulnerabilities, our loves, our heartaches, our triumphs, our gentle questions and our every precious walk through the poetic journey of life. ... I share this powerful song here...

(If you'd like to see a neat You Tube and hear the song you can click on this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT7x3VnrqbA

Who am I (Casting Crowns)

Who am I?

That the Lord of all the earth,

Would care to know my name,

Would care to feel my hurt.

Who am I?

That the bright and morning star,

Would choose to light the way,

For my ever wandering heart.

Bridge:

Not because of who I am,

But because of what you've done.

Not because of what I've done,

But because of who you are.

Chorus:

I am a flower quickly fading,

Here today and gone tomorrow,

A wave tossed in the ocean,

A vapor in the wind.

Still you hear me when I'm calling,

Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,

And you've told me who I am.

I am yours.

I am yours.

Who am I?

that the eyes that see my sin

Would look on me with love

And watch me rise again.

Who am I?

That the voice that calmed the sea,

Would call out through the rain,

And calm the storm in me.

Not because of who I am,

But because of what you've done.

Not because of what I've done,

But because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading,

Here today and gone tomorrow,

A wave tossed in the ocean,

A vapor in the wind.

Still you hear me when I'm calling,

Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,

And you've told me who I am.I am yours.

Not because of who I am,

But because of what you've done.

Not because of what I've done,

But because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading,

Here today and gone tomorrow,

A wave tossed in the ocean,A vapor in the wind.

Still you hear me when I'm calling,

Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,

And you've told me who I am.

I am yours.

I am yours.

I am yours.

Whom shall I fear?

Whom shall I fear?

Cause I am yours.

I am yours.

Tears of a Stranger

While visiting a friend, I stopped to eat lunch at a local establishment today, there was a homeless woman who was clearly mentally ill walking around. I watched her for but a little, yet then chose to divert my attention to my lunch. The Italian eatery gave me far too much and so I proceeded to the garbage planning to throw it out... As the food fell, the homeless woman rushed, yet it was too late... she actually wanted my uneaten food. I felt so bad. I watched her proceed to silently turn and sit down on the corner. I fought back tears as I reached for a ten dollar bill, handed it to her, and said, please buy yourself lunch. She wept; and wept. I didn't know what to stay, I just stood there with her, letting her know someone cared. ... she then proceeded into line, and bought herself lunch. As I thought in prayer, why is it so often we shun the homeless and mentally ill? ... How would it be if I were that woman sitting and wishing to grab a kernel of food from a stranger? ... And how do we individually and collectively work to help those who hurt, those who are homeless, those who wish to have someone reach out? ... Perhaps the face of God greeted me today.. it leaves me humbled and in prayer.


A tiny morsal
of caloric good..
leaves most of us
without second thought

Yet what of the woman
who sits alone?
What of the homeless
who seeks a home?

What of the child
who says, "mom please more"...
where and how
can we open the door

What of those
who cry inside
what of those
who wish to hide

Can we not hear
can we not see
can we not listen
to the smallest of plea?

Humanity visits
in the plenty just now
as I pray dear Lord
please show me how
To extend a hand
to dry a tear
to quench a thirst
and alleviate fear

I bow in prayer
humbled in whole
please be with
all the hurting souls
Take my hand
let it extend
may I be a window
and say "I can"
May I make a difference
for even just one
Please oh Lord..
Let your work be done

humbled surrender...

Have you ever found yourself fighting a heavy heart because you wished so much for something? Perhaps it was a job, events in life, an opportunity, or changes in the world? Perhaps you wished so much for something amidst striving for goals, nurturing an important relationship or in trying so hard in coming to understand the perplexity of life, love and the beautiful complexity of the journey? Perhaps you've struggled with trying to hear the heart of another, to find your calling in life, or God's gentle direction amidst your own heart's hopes, wishes and dreams? I have been humbled of late in walking through life and contemplating how amidst my fervency and optimism how sometimes we touch the tenderest of places of humanity and vulnerability ... Though one of deep faith, I find it interesting how easy it is to want to control areas of our lives we may not have control over. ... Perhaps the unpredictability leaves us uneasy? Perhaps the tender tugs of the heart renders us so blatently human? I found this piece so moving and I thought I'd share it here...

Surrender....

Difficulties should not depress or divert us. The cause that has gripped us is so great that the small weaknesses of individuals cannot destroy it. Therefore I ask you only one thing: Do not be so worried about yourself. Free yourself from all your plans and aims. They occupy you far too much. Surrender yourself to the sun, the rain, and the wind and do as the flowers and the birds. Surrender yourself to God. Wish for nothing but one thing: that his will be done, that his kingdom come and that his nature be revealed. Then all will be well.

Eberhard Arnold

While I am mindful that we must take action in life... perhaps too we must know when to Let go and Let God and sit at peace and inaction... sometimes I find myself running around trying to "act", when it best to sit and listen. Just a bit of food for thought.

A friend recently sent me this humorous clip regarding the state our present day. It speaks to the fact that though times are tough, we really have many blessings and conveniences we didn't have 50 plus years ago. ... I am mindful of the truisms in both perspectives as we can be optimists and realists holding to the bright side of life, yet too considering the best course of action to create fulfilling lives given our past and present state. ... Perhaps I am atypical as I see time as more fluid and dynamic than linear as the past and present seed the future, yet too each moment is captured forever in time. ... I now share the video, I hope if anyone stops by they will get a few smiles.Blessings!

Kringlehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoGYx35ypus

On Life, Death and that which fills the journey...

Having just visited a neighbors... tenderness enters as we just learned about a month ago he has only 3 months to live. At his current relatively young age of 54, he was recently informed he has stage 4 cancer.... Life as he knew it a couple months ago forever changed and now he has less than two months to live. ... Is life not perplexing sometimes? ... Yet perhaps especially amidst hardship and sadness we come to realize that which we hold closest to the heart. ... The steadfast friendships, the things we love to do, the people we love, and the faith we hold. ...

Yeah life is precious

each step of the walk....

May Carl live his last days in peace

may he look back and find the beauty in his footsteps

and may he know he was surrounded in love, friendship

and will continue to be so

as the Good Lord wraps his arms around him..

In memory...

I am mindful how pictures capture a thousand moments

and a thousand memories...

Just now I am missing my dear brother

he would have been 42 today

In memory of one who made people laugh

who played hard

who lived fervently

and whose life was cut short...

too short

yet I am forever grateful

for each of the days

he graced the the earth...