As I write, I’m thinking about a wonderful, four-legged friend who has become a rich part of our lives over the past couple of years. Zoe, aka Foster Dog, was a temporary placement at our house. She was much too big for our small yard and we had another dog and . . . the [...]
Friday, April 1, 2011
Foster Dog & I are grilling burgers out back. Foster Dog insists that grill is unnecessary. Rationale: red meat should be eaten red. Saw lady pushing small dog in stroller. Made mistake of telling Foster Dog. Size being a problem, she’s checking eBay for a cotton trailer. Having quiet Cajun dinner with 21 new friends. [...]
Monday, March 21, 2011
A friend who has been through a lot of conflict and heartache recently told me of her excitement of getting the chance to start over. I could tell by the bounce in her voice that just the thought of beginning many things again was truly the birth of a new spirit in her. Her insight [...]
Friday, March 18, 2011
I was reminded several times this week about systems that have failed. That line of conversation would begin a lively discussion at the local coffee shop. We all have stories about our bad experiences at the hands of someone who blindly obeyed a process even though it was obviously flawed. The truth is that a [...]
Thursday, March 17, 2011
ABC News Correspondent Diane Sawyer flew to the northern regions of Japan to view the scenes of destruction from the earthquake and tsunami. As she, her interpreter, and her videographer walked through a village, they came upon a circle of local citizens. Their chairs were pulled together loosely as they sat and talked and passed [...]
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Foster Dog reclining in mud under hedge. Lifts head on my approach. Once identity verified, she returns to snooze position. 96 degrees. Foster Dog auditioning for lead in “Hound of the Baskervilles.” Likes pipe and funny hat. Finding British accent challenging. Foster Dog fails to get part. Kept saying, “Alimentary, my dear Watson” instead of [...]
Saturday, April 5, 2008
We discussed a little two-fold irony this morning. You would benefit from knowing the two bases of this wonderment. First, when my son, Justin, visits us, I always insist that he park his car in our driveway. Things seem to be quiet these days, but several years ago, there were problems all around town with [...]
Hope seen . . . slowly softens the crust of worry. Hope celebrated . . . melts worry away. Melted worry is the compost that feeds faith and destiny.
An abundant life is not one free from worry, but one filled with hope.
Have you ever been in a really big hurry?
Have you ever been in a really big hurry . . . and everything seems to go wrong?
You drop your keys just as you get to the door. You leave your phone on the nightstand. You hit “reply to all” on the email that should have gone to one discreet individual. You can’t seem to hit the trash can with that one wad of paper. You find yourself face-to-face with the one person you don’t “really have time to deal with.”
Frustration builds inside. Anger, dismay, and depression grow like grass in a flower bed. What can you do? What is the most effective action step for the moment.
Slow down.
That’s it. Slow down. Take a breath. Whisper a prayer. Hum a song.
Slowing down allows tension to melt away. Slowing down allows your emotions to moderate. Slowing down allows you to gain control . . . by easing your grip.
So, slow down . . .
“Constantly Pleasant.”
That’s how she was described. Not a person attending the memorial service would have disagreed.
As I sat and listened to the accomplishments of this remarkable person, I was somewhat awestruck by the thought that I had been blessed to know an individual who touched so many and did so much . . . while being constantly pleasant.
What if I could become constantly pleasant? What would that change? How would I change?
Thanks, Colleen. For being constantly pleasant. It’s just one of many ways that God shone through you.
If you’ll just let go, your hands will be free to . . .
If you’ll let go . . . empty your hands of things and your heart of worries . . . you’ll be delighted with what you find in those sacred hollows.
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Wednesday, April 13, 2011
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