Blessings of the Years

Jan. 15th 2011, yesterday, was my daughter's tenth birthday.  Time is a funny thing.  In some moments it seems it has been a long ten years and at other points it doesn't seem it has been ten years at all.  I would say the majority of time, it seems that it hasn't been ten years.  It does, indeed, pass very quickly.  I have been blessed to have this time with her.  I have watched her grow in so many different ways. 

Some of the amazing changes I see in her, I am glad to see and others I am not.  Do not misunderstand, they aren't bad changes necessarily they are just changes that mean she is growing up.  I try to always be mindful of the changes and remember what it was like coming through different stages of growth and becoming a young lady.  Parents and family members can really cause growing children stress and humiliate them when they do not intend to do so.  To be always mindful, is a goal of mine.

Today I seek to recognize all the blessings in watching her grow and not to be sad about the changes.  It is so easy to dwell on wishing they were small again and wanting to slow time down and keep them at a certain place in time.  But, we can not fight nature and only cause ourselves grief by doing such.  I am blessed to have every day, every moment with my daughter.  I am blessed to be able to watch her changes, embrass and enjoy them fully.  Each change, each stage brings new ventures, new lessons and wonderful blessings.  I am blessed to have been given this wonderful little "blessing" called "daughter". 

Sometimes...

Sometimes it is hard for me to find blessings!  I think it is that way for most people.  Am I wrong?  Life can be overwhelming sometimes.  Sometimes....  Of course, this is why I sought changes in my life and to try and focus on the good things I have been blessed with.  I can't say I'm doing 100% of what I have vowed to do and one of my resolutions is to do even better including my morning blessings to start my days.

Today is one of those days I am having a hard time in finding a blessing.  Aren't we funny people?  I mean, I do KNOW I have many many blessings.  Truly, I do KNOW this.  But for some reason, I get the mully grubs, as my father would call them.  And when the mully grubs set in, the blessings seem to hide in the wrinkles of my mind. 

Why today?  Today I have to go for preop blood work and such at the hospital.  I am pretty darn tired of seeing Dr.'s and giving my blood up to be checked out!  Perspective!  I am working on my perspective....

I AM blessed! I am blessed that I could wake up at 5:00 this morning, shower, have my natural energy drink and drive myself to the hospital.  This is truly a blessing!  TRULY!  How many will not wake this morning, or wake but not be able to shower on their own or at all?  How many will not have the money to have a natural nutritient filled energy drink or a car to drive?  How many can not drive?  To those, I am sending out warm blessings to be rained down upon you!  I will strive not to take this for granted, to be mindful, thankful and to know that I am blessed.

January 1, 2011 Blessings

The wonderful holiday season is winding down and coming to a slow end.  Those off work will be returning, children will be back to school and life will be in full swing once again.  At least life as most of us live it, that is.  I sit watching my daughter playing with her new American Girl doll named Julie.  She brushes and braids her hair, changes her clothes and talks to her about how to handle life.  Watching her I am amazed at how much they learn at such young ages and also how much they do actually listen to us adults.  :)  That makes me smile and I pray that something is instilled that will stick forever, something positive.  And I feel a peace that she is content with her holiday gifts and the special times we all shared.

We have slowly begun to take down our beautiful golden and red decorations, returning them to their boxes and remembering special moments that have just occurred and will be banked within our minds forever.  I especially like thinking back on my middle son as he opened one unexpected gift this year.  He hadn't asked for it and wasn't expecting it at all due to what he deemed would be too expensive; a bowling ball.  He took up bowling this summer.  A little smile crept across his face revealing the little indention in his right cheek.  Oh he tried hard not to smile to broadly because you know at seventeen that just isn't cool!  This is one I will cherish, I suppose because of his age.  I know there will not be many more times I will see that same little smile for the same reason or in the same manner.

I am truly blessed for all of these special moments and for being able to provide for my children although not as flashy and ritzy as some would like to have it.  I am truly blessed that I have had the opportunity to see 2010 roll into the new year of 2011!  I remember the Y2K scare and while I never bought into that (Just didn't figure Bill Gates to be that ...dumb?", I suppose we all can say that we have been blessed to have had the last ten that many thought wouldn't ever come around!  ;P

Holiday Blessings?

This morning while I sit in a dark filled room, I watch the twilight of colors dancing on my Christmas tree!  While it is four days past Christmas, it is still the holiday season.  I suppose I was locked into that way of thinking as a small girl awaiting "Christmas" break from school and that didn't change as an adult since my chosen profession is that of a teacher/educator. 

The twilight of dancing colors gleam offf of the golden and red glass balls.  The beads and garland of gold gracefully swag from limb to limb in an alternating fashion while accented with clear glass balls adorned with painted and glitter designs.  Hanging amongst all the garland and glass balls, frosted glass angels and stars dangle.  I do love the traditional Christmas colors of red, gold and green.  The tree is beautiful, I enjoy just sitting and looking at it. 

Another New Year is right around the corner and will also be celebrated by many in various ways in order to ring in 2011 and usher out 2010 as well as closing out the holiday season.  The holiday season has become so commercialized it seems it is a struggle to teach what Christmas is all about and to keep that the focus.  I did give it my best attempt!

The gift of giving and sharing of ourselves is the most precious part of Christmas.  For me this is a reflection of the giving and sharing of God and Jesus Christ.  It is a reflection of a wonderful sacrifice given by both God and Jesus in order for us to be able to share in something that was not our birth right. 

I try to spend a lot of time with my family during the holiday season because I love them dearly.  I have two sons and I am certainly selfish because I would not give either of them as a sacrifice for anyone!  When I stop and think about that, I am reminded of what an amazing gift God actually gave to me/us. 

I love my children with all my heart and I am blessed beyond measure to be able to share time, gifts, lessons, hugs, kisses, laughs and love iwth them during the holiday season.  I should remind myself of this daily because I don't have to wait and shouldn't wait on a holiday to feel and share those things! 

Winter Blessings

It is bone chilling cold in Georgia! We have had unusually cold weather for several days now. I'm sure all of my Northern friends and readers will have a good laugh at me but this southern gal is not use to such temperatures! I keep thinking I need to move on down to the islands!

Seriously, it doesn't take much for me to be cold even though I put on sweat pants, long sleeved shirt or sweat shirt and socks on my feet! Sometimes I have to work hard to find blessings which is why I decided to attempt to acknowledge at least one blessing a day. This weather (it has been windy too and blew down all of my Christmas lights) is one of those things I have a hard time in finding a blessing. 

But I DID it, I found one! I am truly blessed! I am blessed that even though I say "I'm freezing" I actually am not. Yes, I would be more comfortable if Jack Frost wasn't nipping at my nose but life isn't always about comfort! I have a heat pump that provides warmth for me and my family. The heat pump has a hard time keeping up in this cold weather especially without running up a large electricity bill. So, we have to keep it down lower than I prefer. It may not be as toasty as I would like but we certainly will not have any problem surviving and we are safe from the elements too: with a roof over our heads. Yes, I am truly blessed and my heart goes out to those that do not have the convenience and safety of a place to call home.

They will be in my prayers these winter months along with those struggling to pay power bills in order to keep their family warm!

The Little Moments That Make Me Smile

I believe sometimes we get into the frame of mind of having big events in our lives to create our memories.  We see so much flashy and hoop-la in media and often feel like we are missing out.  You know what I mean; the lifestyle of the rich and famous!  We keep waiting and wondering when we are going to get this, have that, go there and such and begin to overlook the simple things that really can and do make us happy. 

Have you ever heard someone say "I need a vacation from my vacation"? 

That is but one example of how so many of us get in our mindset.  The more the better, the bigger the better and on and on and we stop finding enjoyment in the little things that truly make us smile down deep inside.  I have been guilty of saying the phrase above because on vacation we try to stuff so much in and rush rush rush that we stop paying attention to each other while trying to take everything else in.  We get cranky and who is smiling then? 

We get just as cranky when we don't get to go on a vacation, that fabulous cruise or the amazing party and believe we are missing out on the dream lifestyle!  Who can be satisfied when we constantly believe the grass is always greener on the other side?  I read an amazing article the other day that focused on discontentment and never being satisfied.  The article gave tips on how to become satisfied with what you have at the moment so you can be fully present and happy.  Don't take me wrong, we should all attempt to improve and there is nothing wrong with having dreams.  But when those dreams steal your joy, it is a problem!  The number one tip in the article was to never go window shopping! 


Now I found this very funny because I never have enjoyed window shopping.  Going to look at things I know I can't buy just never has made sense to me and always made me feel down.  But, the article goes on to explain that in terms of window shopping in other ways such as I first mentioned.  Window shopping in this sense of the phrase means looking at anything else that isn't yours or beyond reach and turning it into a desire.  Once that desire sets in, you are no longer satisfied with what you have. 


For people that can take that desire (be it a healthy one) and allow it to propel them to a new level, that is fine.  But statistics show that is by far not the majority of people.  The majority of people begin to moan, groan and pout with a nagging that they want more and need more.  If we think about it, this is one reason why so many people are in debt far beyond their means!  It is also why there is so much infidelity.  If you have a spouse, "window shopping" creates thoughts that cause you to be dissatisfied with what you have. 

This is one reason I decided to take time each day to focus on what I DO have which are my own personal blessings. 

Last night I sat in the floor of my son's bedroom getting some homeschooling materials together.  My son sat in his desk chair watching and talking to me about some of his problems and realizations.  Suddenly we both heard an almost growling voice coming from the stairway.  We both stopped and looked at each other and the voice spoke again with the word "WOMAN"!  My son threw his hand over his mouth to control an outburst of laughter and a little grin eased across mine.  The voice went on to say, "WOMAN, you sure are a pretty thang"!  My son and I were both giggling at that point.  In the door peeked a little fuzzy headed nutcracker with his square jaw flapping, "Woman"! 



Behind the growl, there was a little snickering voice.  As we burst out into laughter, so did she.  It was my nine year old daughter, as you may have guessed. 

I am blessed to have such little moments that make me smile and I have lived enough to know I will remember that little "nut" of mine talking as a nutcracker long after other memories fade.  I am truly blessed and satisfied.

A Few Days of Missed Blessings

Well, it seems I have fallen down on my new regimen!  *sighs*  The last time I posted was on November the 20th.  It is now December 9th.  Isn't it so easy to neglect things in life that we shouldn't?  It is even harder to implement something new.  Why does it seem to be so easy to form a bad habit but very hard to form a good one?

I wish I knew the answers but I don't.  What I do know is that keeping at it is the key!  Even if we get off track, we can always get back on.  Part of the reason for my life changes and new regimen was due to being so busy; too busy to stop and smell the roses, recognize my blessings and enjoy them.  I have to be sure not to let other things creep in and make me too busy once again!  It is very easy to do and to find excuses.  But the fact is that every minute lost can not be regained.  Time stands still for no one.  *note to self*