"I want to live in a world where our hearts are bound together. We need civility, understanding and kindness instead of this selfish, incredible incivility and mean-spirited cruelty that surrounds us today." Peter Yarrow
In this season of love and grace, may we all be reminded of what God did for us.
Why then, don't we value life and each other more? Why has commercialism taken over our lives? What are we teaching our children? Is there any doubt that evil exists in our world?
Look first in your heart; then look to God.
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke)
Friday, December 3, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Have a great time on your trip!
Life is hard. Life is worth living. Life is a canvas. Life is an experiment. Life is a cabaret. Lots of quotes and philosophies about what Life is, show up in every form of media that exists.
For me, Life is..... a journey, a trip, that each of us as human beings are on together. We really are all in this together. We make choices, some good, some not so good. And we all reap the consequences of our actions. That always sounds a little scary, but in reality, we reap lots more that are good than not.
But, Life is.... hard. We get tired and worried and wonder what on earth is going on; and what if......!
When we are children, we look with trust to our parents for security, love, and happiness. If you were blessed with parent(s) who gave you those things, you will most likely be a secure, loving, and happy adult. But wait! Once you are an adult, you realize what it took for your parent(s) to do all they did to provide for you.
They were tired, worried, and wondered what on earth was going on. But they put themselves second and often were excellent actors, so that you could be the very best and happiest you could possibly be.
In addition, if your parents were people of faith, then you were given a gift that is truly life-altering. My parents lived their faith. That was the starting place for my own. They never shoved their beliefs down their childrens' throats. Yes, we went to church all of the time, and it gave me additional information to help me on my spiritual journey. But in our daily life, we were not forced to read the Bible and pray out loud, or any other routine except saying the blessing at meals. Mostly, what I learned was that it is important what you believe. So, since then, I have been seeking God's guidance and blessing as I continue on my journey.
Right now I am feeling the need to re-read my very favorite Max Lucado book, Traveling Light. I would highly recommend it to anyone; easily read, truly both moving and pertinent.
Here is a short description:
"Weary travelers. You've seen them--everything they own crammed into their luggage. Staggering through terminals and hotel lobbies with overstuffed suitcases, trunks, duffels, and backpacks. Backs ache. Feet burn. Eyelids droop. We've all seen people like that. At times, we are people like that-if not with our physical luggage, then at least with our spiritual load. Fear. Worry. Discontent.
No wonder we get so weary. We're worn out from carrying that excess baggage. Wouldn't it be nice to lose some of those bags?"
He goes on to use the twenty-third Psalm as a guide to why and how we should release some of the burdens we were never meant to bear.
OPTIMISM: "Play hard, laugh hard, and leave the worries to your Father."
Be a bottomless well of optimism flooded by a perpetual spring of faith.
— Max Lucado
For me, Life is..... a journey, a trip, that each of us as human beings are on together. We really are all in this together. We make choices, some good, some not so good. And we all reap the consequences of our actions. That always sounds a little scary, but in reality, we reap lots more that are good than not.
But, Life is.... hard. We get tired and worried and wonder what on earth is going on; and what if......!
When we are children, we look with trust to our parents for security, love, and happiness. If you were blessed with parent(s) who gave you those things, you will most likely be a secure, loving, and happy adult. But wait! Once you are an adult, you realize what it took for your parent(s) to do all they did to provide for you.
They were tired, worried, and wondered what on earth was going on. But they put themselves second and often were excellent actors, so that you could be the very best and happiest you could possibly be.
In addition, if your parents were people of faith, then you were given a gift that is truly life-altering. My parents lived their faith. That was the starting place for my own. They never shoved their beliefs down their childrens' throats. Yes, we went to church all of the time, and it gave me additional information to help me on my spiritual journey. But in our daily life, we were not forced to read the Bible and pray out loud, or any other routine except saying the blessing at meals. Mostly, what I learned was that it is important what you believe. So, since then, I have been seeking God's guidance and blessing as I continue on my journey.
Right now I am feeling the need to re-read my very favorite Max Lucado book, Traveling Light. I would highly recommend it to anyone; easily read, truly both moving and pertinent.
Here is a short description:
"Weary travelers. You've seen them--everything they own crammed into their luggage. Staggering through terminals and hotel lobbies with overstuffed suitcases, trunks, duffels, and backpacks. Backs ache. Feet burn. Eyelids droop. We've all seen people like that. At times, we are people like that-if not with our physical luggage, then at least with our spiritual load. Fear. Worry. Discontent.
No wonder we get so weary. We're worn out from carrying that excess baggage. Wouldn't it be nice to lose some of those bags?"
He goes on to use the twenty-third Psalm as a guide to why and how we should release some of the burdens we were never meant to bear.
OPTIMISM: "Play hard, laugh hard, and leave the worries to your Father."
Be a bottomless well of optimism flooded by a perpetual spring of faith.
— Max Lucado
Monday, October 18, 2010
Deja Vu
We went to Linda O'Brien's memorial service on Saturday. It was everything a memorial service should be. Friends and family reflecting on happy memories, laughter, tears, poems; all heartfelt. There were wonderful picture boards showing Linda's life as full and happy. It was a reminder of the awesome importance of family. Family that extends to those you love and who love you, even those that are not related through your bloodline. It was a time that began healing the broken hearts that most acutely felt her loss. She was a person of deep faith. For a quiet person, she was prone to humor, laughter, and smiles that lit her up from the inside. She loved deeply and unselfishly. She was a person to remember and emulate. Thankfully, her gentle, loving spirit can be seen every time you are around her children, Kathy and Tim.
A most special time during the service was a reading by her brother, Jim Harrer. Both grandfathers were Lutheran ministers and Jim read from a book of prayers that had been passed down through the family. The prayer was printed and read both in German and in English. It is so beautiful and I would like to remember it and the moment always.
Abendlied An Evening Prayer
Muede bin ich, geh zur Ruh I am tired, go to sleep,
Schliesse beide Aueglein zu; Close both my little eyes;
Vater lass die Augen dein Father let Your eyes
ueber meinem Bette sein. Be over my bed.
Hab ich Unrecht heut gethan, If I have done wrong today,
seih es lieber Gott, nicht an. See it not, beloved God.
Deine Gnab und Jesu Blut Your grace and Christ's blood
macht ja allen Schaden gut. Truly makes all bad things good.
Alle die mir sind verwandt , All that I care about,
Gott, lass ruhn in deiner Hand, God, let rest in Your hand.
alle Menschen gross und klein All people big and small
sollen dir befohlen sein. Should be following You.
Kranken Herzen sende Ruh, Broken hearts send rest,
nasse Augen schliesse zu; Teary eyes be closed;
lass den Mond am Himmel stehn Let the moon stand in heaven
und die stille Welt besehn. And view a peaceful world.
Is that not beautiful?
At the end of the day, we stopped at the King's home to see the kids and Ben. Only Shelby had come to the service. What a treat - all of their children plus all of the cousins were out playing and running around. They had been building a fort; or more specifically a series of forts. They were soooo smudgy with dirt, paint, and I don't know what all... They were beautiful! After such an emotional day of reflecting on life and family, I was transported back in time to a place where life was simple and good. A time where there were still troubles and problems, but their sharpness and ability to wound was less.
At my age, funerals have a deju vu effect to them. Older, younger, my peers - I have been touched in some way by each life whose funeral I attended. But it is Life, not death, that I am reminded of. The deja vu is the whisper of happiness, thankfulness, and faith.
A most special time during the service was a reading by her brother, Jim Harrer. Both grandfathers were Lutheran ministers and Jim read from a book of prayers that had been passed down through the family. The prayer was printed and read both in German and in English. It is so beautiful and I would like to remember it and the moment always.
Abendlied An Evening Prayer
Muede bin ich, geh zur Ruh I am tired, go to sleep,
Schliesse beide Aueglein zu; Close both my little eyes;
Vater lass die Augen dein Father let Your eyes
ueber meinem Bette sein. Be over my bed.
Hab ich Unrecht heut gethan, If I have done wrong today,
seih es lieber Gott, nicht an. See it not, beloved God.
Deine Gnab und Jesu Blut Your grace and Christ's blood
macht ja allen Schaden gut. Truly makes all bad things good.
Alle die mir sind verwandt , All that I care about,
Gott, lass ruhn in deiner Hand, God, let rest in Your hand.
alle Menschen gross und klein All people big and small
sollen dir befohlen sein. Should be following You.
Kranken Herzen sende Ruh, Broken hearts send rest,
nasse Augen schliesse zu; Teary eyes be closed;
lass den Mond am Himmel stehn Let the moon stand in heaven
und die stille Welt besehn. And view a peaceful world.
Is that not beautiful?
At the end of the day, we stopped at the King's home to see the kids and Ben. Only Shelby had come to the service. What a treat - all of their children plus all of the cousins were out playing and running around. They had been building a fort; or more specifically a series of forts. They were soooo smudgy with dirt, paint, and I don't know what all... They were beautiful! After such an emotional day of reflecting on life and family, I was transported back in time to a place where life was simple and good. A time where there were still troubles and problems, but their sharpness and ability to wound was less.
At my age, funerals have a deju vu effect to them. Older, younger, my peers - I have been touched in some way by each life whose funeral I attended. But it is Life, not death, that I am reminded of. The deja vu is the whisper of happiness, thankfulness, and faith.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
" Fog this morning...adjust your schedule accordingly."
For instance. Today - first cup of coffee; Dave Osterberg with the weather; tropical depression now Hurricane Paula in the Caribbean; additional moisture resulting in some early morning fog. "Well", I thought to myself, "I'll go outside and take an awesome photo of the fog sifting through the trees." So I did. Not the awesome part, just the pic. But it is what happened after, that illustrates that good changes can come sometimes even when you think you are drifting along in sameness.
Because I got out of bed and out of the house, I was totally awake and refreshed when I came in. I read today's devotional from Charles Stanley which was on Advancing through Adversity. Quite appropriate considering Drew and his loss of job and place. The fog of change has descended big time. So I sent it to him, because it was uplifting and reaffirmed his efforts to keep on keeping on. Also, that he needs to trust in God's faithfulness to work for good in his life.
Then I got inspired to start this blog entry, because I also thought about our daughter-in-law, Sandi, and how she is being pulled between the joy of her trip to Germany and the reality of the "sameness" of life at home. Now, there is much that is wonderful and new and happy in her life here. And she has every reason to be optimistic. But the "fog" for her right now is the dynamic duo of relationships and money. That would be complicated and lack thereof respectively. It is hard to see that good things are going to come out of this. (And what is good anyway?) But I have every reason to believe that they will based on past experience.
So here's to sameness and the fog of change. If life were always fun and easy then it would be the same all the time. How could we possibly appreciate the wonderful times? Fun and easy would seem stale and old.
It is because they don't happen all the time that they are so special.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
A Happy Life
These are just some observations that are by no means original. But having had a roller coaster six months of highs and lows, after spending one day with our grandson has reminded me of how easy is it to be happy. Surround yourself with those you love and who love you. Eat and drink when you are hungry/thirsty. Enjoy where you are placed and look around to see why you should. Share your happiness because it comes right back to you. Kisses are also very important to share. And remember to be thankful for it all.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
A Perfect Song
I love music. I don't just enjoy it. I don't just use it as a way to pass the time. I don't care whether there are both words and music. I just love it.
Growing up I learned to play the piano and in this way I learned a great deal about the mechanics of music. The staves, treble and bass. Octaves and other basic terminology I got early on in my life. I loved that I could make wonderful sounds come from the piano.
In high school and in college, I was in the band. (Note: I also loved athletics, being in shape, and competing against my friends. But that is another story.) I had some awesome band directors who were wonderful teachers of music, but who also pushed us to be better than we were. No excuses just because we were a small school. This is the time period when I realized that music was something special in my life.
But the first memories of music in my life were my parents playing records and listening to the radio. They would sing and dance to the music. (Note: My Mom could not carry a tune in a bucket. Didn't matter!) They were so happy. When I was about eight, we got our first television. Most of what was shown during the day were music videos, of all things! I got to see the people sing and play the instruments that I had heard on the radio and records. I learned every word to every song on "Your Hit Parade." I wanted to be one of those people.
Well, quite honestly, I squandered such talents as I possessed by not realizing that even though you are good at something, to be great requires great effort. But, even so, the love of music has never left me.
We got our first stereo when I was thirteen. A real stereo with speakers that sat against opposite walls. I listened to records while lying in the floor of our living room, until I could recognize each instrument and the musical line it was playing; I learned about the ways music was organized. Instrumentals could and would move me to tears. To this day, when I hear Tara's Theme from Gone With the Wind, I anticipate every note and cry like a baby. Percy Faith, Roger Williams, Mantovani, Ferrante and Teicher, I loved them all.
Ahhh, but music and words..... to be perfect, a melody needs a voice. Truly, I could sit and list songs that I love and have great meaning in my life, and it would go on and on. But to pick one, well, not an easy task.
This past year has been full of many, many wonderful events and people. Sadly, some of these will never come again. Thankfully, many of them will. Not surprisingly, music reminds me of these people and events, so in that sense, I'll always have a reminder of them. One of the poet/musicians who has been part of my life for close to forty years is Jimmy Buffett. His experiences and insights are what drive his words. To listen to them all is to understand the world according to Buffett.
He went to Paris is a song that, to me, is a perfect song.
The melody and the instrumentation together generate such a strong emotional response in me. But the story... oh the story, is a tale of us all. We go through life "looking for answers to questions that trouble" us so. When we are young, we are full of idealism and want to change our world for the better. But we get distracted; we fall in love with life... and with others. And time slips away. We move from one place to another, have babies, fight battles, and come away scarred. But we keep searching.... and time slips away. The fortunate ones alight in a place and situation where days are full of purpose and beauty surrounds them. And toward the end they can say, "Some of it's magic and some of it's tragic, but I had a good life all the way."
I'm listening, Jimmy.
He Went to Paris.. by Jimmy Buffett
Growing up I learned to play the piano and in this way I learned a great deal about the mechanics of music. The staves, treble and bass. Octaves and other basic terminology I got early on in my life. I loved that I could make wonderful sounds come from the piano.
In high school and in college, I was in the band. (Note: I also loved athletics, being in shape, and competing against my friends. But that is another story.) I had some awesome band directors who were wonderful teachers of music, but who also pushed us to be better than we were. No excuses just because we were a small school. This is the time period when I realized that music was something special in my life.
But the first memories of music in my life were my parents playing records and listening to the radio. They would sing and dance to the music. (Note: My Mom could not carry a tune in a bucket. Didn't matter!) They were so happy. When I was about eight, we got our first television. Most of what was shown during the day were music videos, of all things! I got to see the people sing and play the instruments that I had heard on the radio and records. I learned every word to every song on "Your Hit Parade." I wanted to be one of those people.
Well, quite honestly, I squandered such talents as I possessed by not realizing that even though you are good at something, to be great requires great effort. But, even so, the love of music has never left me.
We got our first stereo when I was thirteen. A real stereo with speakers that sat against opposite walls. I listened to records while lying in the floor of our living room, until I could recognize each instrument and the musical line it was playing; I learned about the ways music was organized. Instrumentals could and would move me to tears. To this day, when I hear Tara's Theme from Gone With the Wind, I anticipate every note and cry like a baby. Percy Faith, Roger Williams, Mantovani, Ferrante and Teicher, I loved them all.
Ahhh, but music and words..... to be perfect, a melody needs a voice. Truly, I could sit and list songs that I love and have great meaning in my life, and it would go on and on. But to pick one, well, not an easy task.
This past year has been full of many, many wonderful events and people. Sadly, some of these will never come again. Thankfully, many of them will. Not surprisingly, music reminds me of these people and events, so in that sense, I'll always have a reminder of them. One of the poet/musicians who has been part of my life for close to forty years is Jimmy Buffett. His experiences and insights are what drive his words. To listen to them all is to understand the world according to Buffett.
He went to Paris is a song that, to me, is a perfect song.
The melody and the instrumentation together generate such a strong emotional response in me. But the story... oh the story, is a tale of us all. We go through life "looking for answers to questions that trouble" us so. When we are young, we are full of idealism and want to change our world for the better. But we get distracted; we fall in love with life... and with others. And time slips away. We move from one place to another, have babies, fight battles, and come away scarred. But we keep searching.... and time slips away. The fortunate ones alight in a place and situation where days are full of purpose and beauty surrounds them. And toward the end they can say, "Some of it's magic and some of it's tragic, but I had a good life all the way."
I'm listening, Jimmy.
He Went to Paris.. by Jimmy Buffett
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Beaches
Well, gosh, after two weeks at the beach I should still be flying high! Actually, I am really struggling with sadness. I feel the loss of family. I feel the loss of place. I think I even feel the loss of purpose that came with being a teacher for so many years. Why now???
I am in transition. Looking back over my life, I know that transitions have never been easy. Some came more easily than others, but truly they required personal adjustment and more importantly, faith. Faith that my children will be happy and fulfilled. Faith that my ineptitude at money management won't leave me destitute in my old age. Faith that who I am won't be damaged by time and circumstance to the point that no one will want to be around me.
Melancholia - such a more comforting word than depression, I think. It runs through both sides of my family like good skin and poor feet! Without faith, I don't stand a chance of making these transitions successfully. Constantly second-guessing myself, wasting time, postponing activities that will make me happy, worrying about circumstances that I have no control over; it's all there every day, waiting to bring me down.
Why is it so hard to remember all of the things we have to be thankful for and only dwell on the uncertainties instead?
I love this wonderful place where we live. I love my family. We have been blessed with the most precious grandchild. I have a few good friends who truly care about me. I have an amazing husband who loves me after all of these years together. I have absolute faith in God and the promise of eternal life through the gift of His son, Jesus.
So,beaches.....I have so many wonderful memories of being at the beach from both my childhood and my married life. Memories of being carefree, being in love, being young, giving the same memories to my children. Perhaps there was also the realization of just how many changes I have already weathered. I pushed the memories to the back of my mind until now, where they have jumped full-blown to my conciousness. Change..... transition..... uncertainty.... DEAL WITH IT....Faith! Be thankful and express it. Get up and get moving. Don't wallow in uncertainty and indecision. Give the people you love credit for loving you back! The ones that don't, will be replaced by ones who do. Give God credit for doing what He says He will do. Move on....
I am in transition. Looking back over my life, I know that transitions have never been easy. Some came more easily than others, but truly they required personal adjustment and more importantly, faith. Faith that my children will be happy and fulfilled. Faith that my ineptitude at money management won't leave me destitute in my old age. Faith that who I am won't be damaged by time and circumstance to the point that no one will want to be around me.
Melancholia - such a more comforting word than depression, I think. It runs through both sides of my family like good skin and poor feet! Without faith, I don't stand a chance of making these transitions successfully. Constantly second-guessing myself, wasting time, postponing activities that will make me happy, worrying about circumstances that I have no control over; it's all there every day, waiting to bring me down.
Why is it so hard to remember all of the things we have to be thankful for and only dwell on the uncertainties instead?
I love this wonderful place where we live. I love my family. We have been blessed with the most precious grandchild. I have a few good friends who truly care about me. I have an amazing husband who loves me after all of these years together. I have absolute faith in God and the promise of eternal life through the gift of His son, Jesus.
So,beaches.....I have so many wonderful memories of being at the beach from both my childhood and my married life. Memories of being carefree, being in love, being young, giving the same memories to my children. Perhaps there was also the realization of just how many changes I have already weathered. I pushed the memories to the back of my mind until now, where they have jumped full-blown to my conciousness. Change..... transition..... uncertainty.... DEAL WITH IT....Faith! Be thankful and express it. Get up and get moving. Don't wallow in uncertainty and indecision. Give the people you love credit for loving you back! The ones that don't, will be replaced by ones who do. Give God credit for doing what He says He will do. Move on....
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