Life's Loving Memories

 BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME "If you build it, they will come." (Field of Dreams 1989) We are right in the middle of remodeling our Youth Church Room, and last Sunday I arrived early at the center to finish organizing the room. It will still take some time to finish, but at least the essentials were put away in the cupboards. Who should walk in at the start of the service, but two very bright kids, ready to participate in our Youth Service. We learned about kindness, and how it is often sparked by a smile. We handed out smile cards to some of our members, towards the end of service. All of this shouted, "If you build it, they will come!" There is more to come in the decorating of the room, but it has been blissfully blessed with love. laughter and learning! Share the word; kids, grandkids, neighbors with kids, all are welcome! "An interesting question to ask is, Do we find God, or does God find us? When we are ready, I think  the voice of God speaks to us. Just...

STEP OUT OF THE HAMSTER WHEEL  "I don't have to be perfect, I'm doing the best I can, I give myself permission to be just who I am." Karen Drucker Do you ever find yourself fixated on something that went wrong in the past 24 hours? Over and over again you replay the situation?  When that happens, cut yourself some slack, long enough to remember all of the hundreds of other things that went right the same day. The past is indeed the past, and you may let it go. In the present moment, move on with mindfulness and know, that you don't have to be perfect, and that you are doing the best that you can. On the occasions that I find myself worrying about something that has happened or is going to happen in the future, I have found that the best solution is to journal about it, and then conclude it with an affirmative prayer treatment. For example, a week ago today I had a tooth extracted by an oral surgeon. My regular dentist  referred me to him because of the position of...

FIRE AND WATER " Living things have been doing just that for a long, long time. Through every kind of disaster and setback and catastrophe. We are survivors. " Robert Fulghum While watching "The Weather Channel" last week, I look at all the places where a fire was burning. I remarked, "wouldn't it be easier to show where a fire wasn't burning?" Then I look at the pouring rains and floodings  that are occurring as well, and I wonder why the storm water couldn't occur  immediately where the fires had started; but weather isn't always logical. All weather is very unpredictable, and very often devastating damage takes place. Tornados, raging fires, flash flooding may be forecast so many times in one area, that people become complacent about the fact that the warnings have happened, and the event never actually occurred. Sort of like the story of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf". Climate is changing, and weather predictions are becoming more a...

 THE POWER OF BELIEF "To think only the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best." The Optimist Creed,                     -- Christian D. Larson In Science of Mind, there is a message that is quoted often. "Know, and know that you know." This is a saying that means, know what you desire, and follow it with your belief, pray about it, until you know it is so. Give substance to your affirmative prayers! Now, doing this may seem like your desire may never happen, and if that is what you truly believe, it will probably never happen. Just like you plant your plants, you know you must fertilize them and water them, tend them with love. Positive attention to them makes them grow vibrantly. The very same thing applies to individuals, care must be given to your desire. If it's getting in shape, start imaging all that you can do when your habits change to support you. For some of my own siblings, they thought about how wo...

 LIVE, LAUGH, AND BE WELL "Love, laugh, and be well speaks to the idea of seeing the good in each and every situation. When we can find the good. shift happens." Sandra Lindsey Smith,               --Life's Garden of Weekly Wisdom" It is said that laughter is the best way to improve a person's mood. fearful, lonely, unhappy, going through a difficult situation, all can be helped with a little bit of laughter. I have a friend whose husband died, and she said what turned her around from reliving that fact, was sitting down and watching reruns of I Love Lucy. S he said it felt healing to be able to laugh, and take her mind off of the painful sadness. If you are anything like me, something may happen, and I feel that my life is crumbling around me; but after a little time has passed, I can look back to see the reason why that event happened. I went through a divorce at 48, and I realized that it opened a path for me to discover my wonderful new f...

 DON'T LET LIFE PASS YOU BY "The power of the One  Mind creates for us." Ernest Holmes Are you a part of your own life? Or do you let life pass you by? Are you awake, aware and focused on what is happening in the world around you? Do you have something you enjoy doing? I am retired, and I don't drive as much as I used to, but every day I rise and write a little. It's something I enjoy doing. Writing in my journal helps me to focus, and then I write a prayer treatment, remembering what I am thankful for. This starts my day off right. I feel blessed by the things I still love to do, reading, writing, talking to friends and family over the phone. These may seem like little things, but they help me to feel connected. When opportunities present themselves, I travel. Being retired for a few years now, I still get out and walk, and I love to read books and take classes. I love to treasure each moment and to shine light wherever I go. Events that happen around me seem unb...