Somewhere In The Woods

                               Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

 A patient, a victorious mind,

That life and all things casts behind,
Springs forth obedient to Thy call;
A heart that no desire can move,
But still to adore, believe, and love,
Give me, my Lord, my Life, my All.
P. GERHARDT.

This is a time where everyone seems to be going on vacation. In fact, it seems that as soon as 2021 came around, people were heading off to somewhere. It didn't matter where that somewhere was as long as it was away from home. People spent time on the beaches, in the woods and going to different cities. After being in isolation the year before, one cannot blame them.

My idea of the perfect vacation is not as exciting. It's not even a particular location. My ideal vacation could easily be in any State. It is a place that everyone can claim that they know of just like it. 

All I want is solitude. A secluded place with a private cabin in a wooded area. May it be surrounded by trees, greenery, maybe even a brook or a lake. I want to hear birds singing, flowers blooming and the sounds of nature. Nothing else. There doesn't have to be any people or activities or any noise of city life. All I want is solitude and internet. I do need internet.

I've always wanted to go away to such a place all by myself and spend a month or more. It would be my spiritual retreat, but secretly, I would love to own such a place. Imagine living in such a place year round.

I believe that we face new chapters in our life all the time. They unfold in places and ways we cannot even predict. We are thrown into situations some of our own doing and some not. New things come and the old disappears. Life keeps moving, rotating from a new day to a new year to yet another chapter. 

The things that stay the same are the sanctuaries we create to keep within our hearts to revisit whenever life becomes a bit too much. We need to hope. We need to believe. We need to dream. We need that place, that somewhere that we can go to mentally if not physically to breathe. Where is your place? What does that look like to you? If you don't have that somewhere, create it. Embrace your somewhere.

Have a blessed day everyone.

One Church, One Family

 

                             Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

My newest griefs to Thee are old;

My last transgression of Thy law,
Though wrapped in thought's most secret fold,
Thine eyes with pitying sadness saw.
H. M. KIMBALL.

I have always been that person who sticks with the same company, insurance or bank for years. If I find something I like, I am loyal to the end. I wish the same could be said in other areas of my life.

I have always craved permanency of going to one Church. I've met people who have done so for over 20 or 30 years. That is truly wonderful. Imagine all the relationships they have nurtured, explored and developed during that time. These are lifelong friends who have your back when needed. Not only do you know each other, but your children know one another and so forth. It's a true community.

Yet, I have found it to be almost impossible in this day and age to stay in one Church for that length of time. People are moving around way too much to do so. Not only are they moving to another neighborhood or town but, they're moving out of state.

Just take a look at my situation. While living in Chicago, I searched for that one Church. That alone is another story, because it is hard to find a Church that preaches to your faith. All Churches claim to be, but not all are what they say. Discernment is a wonderful gift.

When we finally did find a good one, we didn't stay for long, because we moved to Central Illinois. Here, we just followed my son, a Pastor, from one Church to another. I quickly realized that craving I held for that one Church may never happen.

There is a positive side to going from Church to Church, one gets to see how other Churches operate and we get to meet new people. I rather do enjoy that part of it. Often, people have asked me what I look for when first entering a new Church. I have found that my list is so different than what is published out there by the so-called experts.

1. How are people worshiping? Do they sing or stare aimlessly lost in their own thoughts?

2. The bulletin. I thoroughly read the bulletin or any literature the Church passes out. I want to see what the Church offers outside of Sunday.

3. Their website should list times, dates and days of all the events. I find it frustrating navigating through a website that tells me nothing. 

4. The size of the congregation does not matter to me, only the people. 

I do understand that some Churches do not have the funds or the people for elaborate bulletins or websites, but the "fanciness" does not matter as long as the data is there for others to see. Yes, I am one of those people who shows up at Church events.

I have to say, that even though I may be in a Season of going to several Churches, I do enjoy all the people I have met. I formed friendships that would not have happened otherwise. There is something to being in the place we are meant to be in during a particular time. Perhaps, we are helping someone or they are helping us through a Season. People come in and out through the doorway of our life. We will meet for a final gathering with Our Lord. Oh, the talks we will have and the memories we will share. Something to look forward to as we navigate through this life.

Have a blessed day everyone. 

A Rocking Chair And A Cup Of Coffee

 

                                             Everyday is a brand new day,

                                              everyday is a journey.

Where our Captain bids us go,

'T is not ours to murmur, "No,"
He that gives the sword and shield,
Chooses too the battle-field
On which we are to fight the foe.
ANON.

Have I ever told you how much I love my rocking chair? No? Well, I do. When we first moved here, that was the first item that came off the truck. My son placed it on the front patio and it has been there ever since. 

A few mornings a week, I would sit in my rocking chair enjoying that first cup of coffee. I would lift my face upwards toward the sky and feel the warmth of the sun. Just taking it all in. The fresh morning. The birds singing. Just enjoying the fact that we were finally here. 

I'm missing that moment, that tiny experience in my day and cannot wait for warmer weather to finally get here. So much has changed in our lives and will continue to do so, but that rocking chair always welcomes me. It calls out my name when chaos roams and stress resides within. The world is not a friendly place.

Come, sit down and lift your face upwards. Feel that warmth of a calming day. Close your eyes and hear the joyful singing of the birds. No cares. No worries. Just the beauty of a beautiful day. 

It's so easy to become distracted within this world of unhappy people, unhappy situations and all the pain that is out there. We become engulfed in that mess and we forget who we are in Christ, It's so easy, so very easy to veer off the path. 

The rocking chair beckons. The birds are singing. The Sun is shining, even if it's for a bit. Let me grab my cup of coffee. If only for a second, let me sit, let me sit.

Have a blessed day everyone.

Post Christmas

 Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

 He who intermits

The appointed task and duties of the day
Untunes full oft the pleasures of the day;
Checking the finer spirits that refuse
To flow, when purposes are lightly changed.
W. WORDSWORTH.

January has always been a challenging month for me. Here it is right smack in the very beginning of the New Year coming forth whether we are ready or not. Whatever happened last year seeps over to this one, so what are you going to do differently? Either, it's a good consequence or a bad one. Hopefully, it's the first.

January is also the month of my battle with the Winter blues. Every year, especially in the middle of the month, my body fights the lethargic, depressive feelings where all I want to do is burrow in my den. Call me when Spring is here!

Funny thing happened this January! I didn't experience the lovely Winter blues! Why? What was different this time around for this episode to miss me entirely? I wish I could give credit to all the vitamins and supplements that I take every morning. I wish I could give credit to the mental prep of daily devotionals, but the truth is quite simple. Chaos. Consequence. Stress. Daily life.

My mind has been in full throttle mode of just making it through the day and into the next. One step at a time. Slow and steady. Sometimes, life hits you with everything it has and one has to be prepared to fight for what is dear to us. Breathe in and breathe out, get up and face the world even when it wants to knock you down. Keep moving, keep handling, keep smiling and go to sleep to do it all again the next day. 

Keep moving.

Keep smiling.

Keep praying.

People believe that I am a very happy kind of person. I smile and try my best to be positive among the people I meet. Honestly, deep down inside I fight my own demons. My family could attest to you the negative thoughts that I fight everyday. The insecurities I face and bring on my anxiety every morning upon opening my eyes. I force myself to push them down and move on. 

The point here is to keep fighting, keep moving and don't give up. Believe in faith and believe in hope. Whatever happened before Christmas, that's the past. We are post Christmas and that means a new beginning, a time to wipe the slate clean and aim to be better, do better, live better.

We are not perfect people living perfect lives. We will falter. We will make major mistakes. It's what we do after we are down in the pit that determines our character. Are you going to live up to every negative thought that has entered your head? Or are you going to get up, dust yourself off and strive to be even better than you were before. Have hope. Have faith. Love God.

Have a blessed day everyone. 

Life After Cancer

 

                            Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

With grateful hearts the past we own;

  The future, all to us unknown,
  We to Thy guardian care commit,
  And peaceful leave before Thy feet.
P. DODDRIDGE

When I began my channel on YouTube, I held such high intentions and expectations. I thought I would find other cancer survivors either with their own channels or just as subscribers. In reality, it didn't happen.

There is something about that word cancer that can upset people real fast. They fear it. They don't want the diagnosis, anything, but that. The name of my blog itself turned people off to what I had to offer. 

There was something else that I found surprising in my search for other survivors. People wanted to forget their experience altogether and move on as if nothing happened at all.

Why?

I don't want to forget. I have learned so much about myself, my body. So much good has come from this experience, so why would I want to forget? Now, I am not brooding about that experience. In fact, I am grateful. It has kept me focused and determined to live out the life I was meant to live. 

We always seem to remember the bad moments first before we even acknowledge all the good that happened. I have read the other day that yesterday's misery can become today's credentials. How absolutely true. If only we were not afraid to go to that place and share it with others who are going through it for the first time. Pain is pain and I get it, but there are people out there who could really benefit from your knowledge and wisdom.

My life certainly has changed and many times over. It keeps changing every couple of years. Just when I overcome one fear or another, something new comes up to learn. Isn't that what life is all about? Experiencing it? Living each moment? Having a chronic illness makes it so much more valuable this thing we call time. So why not enjoy it?

Have a blessed day everyone.

Simply Self Care

 

                                  Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

Trials must and will befall;

But with humble faith to see
Love inscribed upon them all,
This is happiness to me.
W. COWPER.

I have a huge respect for life, things and people that attribute to living life fully. They have developed a technique for a well-balanced life between work and personal activities. This is something I have struggled with for years. Finding that balance has not always been easy, but I will do my very best and simply keeping trying.

This year, I have made it a point to try harder than ever before. Life certainly has been very unpredictable and I am becoming too old for all these sudden changes. My body craves good ole boring stability. 

One of the ways I plan on accomplishing some of this balance will be my implementation of basic ideas to reduce the stress. It truly is the little things that make the difference. Small, yet very significant changes that can bring more harmony in my life.

A Nesting Day is something I have started a little over a year ago. It is a time that I use for the sole purpose of renewal. It could be a day or even a weekend, it really doesn't matter. It is a personal day where I wear my comfy clothes and lock myself inside to enjoy doing whatever brings me joy. For me, it is usually crocheting and binge-watching Netflix.

Scheduling and organizing is a new goal . . . sort of. It's true that I have spent the last several years decluttering, but I find it is an ongoing project. One can never be completely done. We are always bringing things in, more than we are taking them out. My aim here is to be better organized so things could go more smoothly, especially when it comes to all my extracurricular activities such as my Ministry, blogging and YouTube.

Journaling is something I have absolutely no experience in whatsoever. Yet, I am drawn to it. I want to create a memory journal of my year. Does that sound a bit crazy? Probably and I most likely will make a mess of it, but I will give it my best shot. It is a well- known fact that drawing and coloring are very relaxing.

Finally, beauty care involves getting out there to the hairdressers or getting a massage. Maybe taking a nap in the middle of the day or having a facial at home. It's the little things we like to do with our appearance that make us feel special. 

There are so many things out there designed for the very purpose of stress relief. My daughter loves to diffuse essential oils mixing different blends to set the mood. For another could be a glass of wine or cup of tea. Whatever that "thing" may be has no bearing at all. What matters is the effect it has on our mental and physical health. Afterall, everyone has different needs and different stresses in their lives. Find the ones that work for you and enjoy them as much as you can!

Have a blessed day everyone.

beautycare

Time To Move On

 

                           Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

Whatever God does is well!

In patience let us wait;
He doth Himself our burdens bear,
He doth for us take care,
And He, our God, knows all our weary days.
Come, give Him praise.
B. SCHMOLCK

Time waits for no man is a saying we all have heard at one time or another. The meaning couldn't be any clearer to me than the phase that I am in right now. Moving forward is something we all must do not only as a society, but also for our mental well-being. 

We cannot stay in the exact same spot. We should always be growing and maturing spiritually, physically and emotionally. We know this, we learn this and do our best to accomplish this feat by making an effort to join groups or read books on it.

There is also another part to it where we can become stagnate in our procrastination to a situation and at times, refusal to move out of that situation. We like to cling to what we think is safe and familiar. Perhaps we are waiting on someone or something to happen. We become afraid to take that step needed to let go and move forward. 

We hold on, we cling to and fear what may come next. We ask ourselves what if questions and soon doubt clouds our decisions. We also may think we have all the time in the world to move. Time truly flies by and before we know it, things have passed us by.

Moving on, at times, involves leaving things behind. Things that may have hurt us. People come and go in our lives like a revolving door in a supermarket. Sometimes, we meet them further up on our path. Sometimes not. The point is that we cannot stop living, because the world is always turning. Making that decision, that choice to do so can be instrumental in the next phase of your life whatever it may be. The point is to actually make it. Remember, time waits for no man.

Have a blessed day everyone.