Category: Personal Blog

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Good Night

Prayer Before Sleep

Dear God, as I lay me down to sleep, relax the tension of my body; 

calm the restlessness of my mind; 

still the thoughts which worry and perplex me.

Help me to rest myself and all my problems in your strong and loving arms.

Let your Spirit speak to my mind and heart

while I am asleep, so that, when I wake up in the morning, 

I may find that I have received in the night-time,

     light for my way;

     strength for my tasks;

     peace for my worries;

     forgiveness for my sins.

Grant me sleep tonight, and tomorrow power to live. Amen

From God’s Spoken Word Ministries

I found this prayer years ago and lost it in my notes.

Today it resurfaced. I am so thankful and happy I’m able to share it with you.

Sweet dreams, my friends.

May God bless us all.

I am…

B…simply being. 

~Peace~

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Connecting

“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” 

― John Lubbock, The Use Of Life

I’ve had the gift of a few days of rest. I am aware of how important this type of time is and I am thankful.

I carried with me the book, In The Silence,  by Suzanne Giesemann. This is Suzanne’s second book filled with 365 days of inspirational readings given to her by her Spirit guides she collectively calls, Sanaya.

For those who don’t know Suzanne, let me share a little information. She retired from a prestigious career in the U.S. Navy which included positions as a Commanding Officer, Special Assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations, and Aide to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Today Suzanne is an author and a psychic-medium and metaphysical teacher.

I’ve had this book for months. Every time I tried to read it I could not quiet my busy mind. The words floated around in my head making it impossible for me to make any connection to the messages Suzanne shared.

Today I connected.

Maybe it’s this valley and the peacefulness I find here. Or, maybe it’s the simple fact I needed these words and I was ready for the lesson today.

Growing

When you are in new situations, it is easy to practice new ways of thinking. It is the well-worn, familiar experiences which challenge you the most to exhibit your newfound higher thoughts and vibrations. 

How do you act around family members and those you have not seen in some time but with whom you have “history”? How do you think and act in old, familiar places? You no longer radiate the same as when you were there and with them in the past, but the memory f how you did lives within the subconscious mind. 

Live consciously. Visiting old places and old friends is the perfect time to test if you are, in fact, growing. 

~Suzanne Giesemann, In the Silence

I am…

B…simply being. 

~Peace~

 

Thank you, Ellen Cross Mast, for letting me use your beautiful photo for my blog today. It’s perfect. 

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Soul Salve

“As night falls, let the day’s troubles slip away into 

the darkness and rest well knowing tomorrow 

brings a new day, a new chance to do things better, 

a new opportunity to make things right. And when 

the new day dawns, awaken a little wiser, a little older, 

a little more prepared for the future. That’s simply 

the pattern of life, my friends, a tapestry of light 

threaded with darkness, laughter threaded with tears, 

hope threaded with despair, wisdom threaded with 

failure, insight threaded with regret. It’s just how 

we learn and grow as humans, and that’s okay. 

It’s enough to end each day knowing we’ve done 

our best and we’ll do our best again tomorrow.” 

― L.R. Knost

I am back in the little valley that soothes my soul. My body is ready for a rest and my heart is peacefully happy.

I am…

B…simply being. 

~Peace~

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Anticipation

“And I will never again underestimate the power of anticipation. There is no better boost in the present than an invitation into the future.” 

― Caroline Kepnes, You

Vacation here we come!

For the past few weeks we’ve been working to get things ready for our time away. Having our little place on the hill makes it quite a process. We are both tired but thankful for the opportunity to practice moments of gratitude.

For me, the last few days reminded me of the times I traveled from my new home in Denver to my old home in Iowa. Trip after trip, I was so excited to be going back “home.”

One day, I arrived in Waterloo and  it no longer felt like home.

I was lost and confused.

It took time, but I began to understand in order to move on I had to be willing to let go of the past.

With that knowledge I see I am at another transition point.

I think this trip will cement my move to Texas, enabling me to move forward with ease and confidence.

“Thank the past for all the lessons it taught you; anticipate the future for all the blessings it has in store for you.” 

― Matshona Dhliwayo

I am…

B…simply being. 

~Peace~

 

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Promises

“Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing

can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity

to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel

that there is something in them

To look at the sunny side of everything

and make your optimism come true.

To think only the best, to work only for the best,

and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others

as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past

and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times

and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself

that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,

and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world,

not in loud words but great deeds.

To live in faith that the whole world is on your side

so long as you are true to the best that is in you.” 

― Christian D. Larson, Your Forces and How to Use Them

I am…

B…simply being. 

~Peace~

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Happy Friday

“Its always difficult to keep Fridays confined within themselves..they tend to spill over..” 

― Parag Tipnis

When I saw this picture I could feel the coolness and hear the silence. What a wonderful imagine to share on this very hot Friday afternoon.

Stay safe and hydrated this weekend, my friends. Take care of yourselves and check on each other.

I am…

B…simply being.

~Peace~

Thanks, Glynis Walker Morse, for sharing Sherrie’s garden with us. I love you.

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Laughter

“Laughter is wine for the soul – laughter soft, or loud and deep, tinged through with seriousness – the hilarious declaration made by man that life is worth living.” 

― Sean O’Casey

So far, 2019 has certainly given me some challenges.

Many of these trials, if not all, have been a result of aging. Don’t get me wrong, I understand my life is a gift. I know these “golden years” are not given to everyone. It’s the clustering of events that’s caught me off guard.

It’s the memory of the sorrow and tears that make the attached picture so very special. I wish it came with sound effects because the laughter and the sounds of puppy kisses are beyond special.

This little bundle of energy is Abby, a pure blessing. The influence she has on all of us has been magical. It is impossible to be crabby when you start each day with Abby kisses. There are some days when we are all a little bit crabby here. Her magical powers are so impressive I have given her a new nickname–Abby-ca-dabra.

The dark days before her arrival opened my heart for a whole new level of joy. I find I am focused on the positive moments which seem to grow as she grows. Not only has she opened my eyes to a whole new appreciation of time, she has helped me see our oldest dog, Bud, differently as well. Because I take the time to notice, I see how she persistently pesters him, trying to get him to play with her. For the most part, I see how Bud is slowly accepting her, tolerating her in the same way I saw with our first Lhasa, Pearl, put up with Bud when we first brought him home over thirteen years ago. As I am learning, ready or not, I’m being given a glimpse into the future–the circle of life continues.

For this and for the life I’ve been given, I am thankful.

“The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.

Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter’s oven?

And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?

When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.” 

― Kahlil Gibran

I am…

B…simply being. 

~Peace~

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A Whole Different Ballgame

“Maybe we all have darkness inside of us and some of us are better at dealing with it than others.” 

― Jasmine Warga, My Heart and Other Black Holes

For the past week I’ve been worried about a friend who fell while hiking, breaking her ankle. Even though this was not a simple fracture, her care plan was well established and she knew she had a surgical repair in her future. Today, after a day surgery admission, she is home recovering.

Interestingly, later this morning I heard from another friend. She asked me to include a young relative of hers in my prayers. The reason for this request came as a result of an over night hospital admission for an acute mental health crisis.

As I talked to God throughout the day, I became very aware of the differences in these two cases.

From the onset of her injury, my friend with the fractured her ankle had a pretty clear cut care plan. Unless she has some unforeseen complication, given time and patience on her part, she should have a good result.

The talented and brilliant young person handed the very vague diagnosis of a mental health crisis has nothing close to a standardized care plan.

Fortunately for the orthopedic doctors, our bone structures are usually pretty much alike. Once surgical technique is learned, the procedure gets easier and faster to repair.

Unfortunately, at least from the little bit I know about our brains, the psychiatrists and other mental health professions, don’t have it quite so easy. Our brains, although structurally similar, are so much more than basic structure. Complicated does not begin to describe the mysteries of the mind.

There is no easy solution to this very old problem. All I can do is do as I promised–pray.

Dear God, I ask for your help in making us aware of the importance of good mental health care. I pray for the establishment of accepted and standardized mental health practices which become part of our well care/self care routines. For myself, I ask for the strength to ask for help when I need it. Please help me remember the kindnesses shown to me, so I can see the quiet needs of others. Thank you, God, for each new awareness. Amen.  ~Barbara Jo Burton Hibdon~

I am…

B…simply being. 

~Peace.~

 

 

 

 

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Dreaming

“Why Dream?

Life is a difficult assignment. We are fragile creatures, expected to function at high rates of speed, and asked to accomplish great and small things each day. These daily activities take enormous amounts of energy. Most things are out of our control. We are surrounded by danger, frustration, grief, and insanity as well as love, hope, ecstasy, and wonder. Being fully human is an exercise in humility, suffering, grace, and great humor. Things and people all around us die, get broken, or are lost. There is no safety or guarantees.

The way to accomplish the assignment of truly living is to engage fully, richly, and deeply in the living of your dreams. We are made to dream and to live those dreams.” 

― S.A.R.K., Make Your Creative Dreams Real: A Plan for Procrastinators, Perfectionists, Busy People, and People Who Would Really Rather Sleep All Day

One of my friends posted a question on Facebook today.

She asked, if you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

Interesting thought for a Monday. I’ve always felt that Mondays were the best days to start planning any kind of escape.

Thanks, Deb, for sparking my brain and giving me a day of focused dreaming.

As images of Ireland, Hawaii, Fuji, and the Colorado mountains flashed through my mind, I realized it’d been a very long time since I’d spent any time dreaming.

That awareness made me a little sad.

I wondered when and why I’d stopped dreaming?

It’s time for that to change.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” 

― H. Jackson Brown Jr., P.S. I Love You

I am…

B…simply being. 

~Peace, be with you, my friends. May your resurrect your very own dreams today.~

Dear Glynis, thank you for letting me share this picture of Sherrie’s garden. I am honored and so very thankful for this and for you. 

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The Gifts of the Siesta

“…the devil’s hour, two o’clock on a summer afternoon–the siesta hour.” 

― Kamel Daoud, The Meursault Investigation

I have learned many lessons since moving to Texas.

One of my most recent lessons–wait–let’s change that to a new awareness–is the power of the afternoon time called the siesta.

Even if I’ve spend the majority of my time inside, the intense summer heat drains my energy. Every day as the daytime heat intensifies, I feel the need for some afternoon down/re-charging time.

This former Iowa girl is creating and defining her own siesta space.

Not surprising to anyone who knows me, time management is an issue.

Unlike my dad who came home for lunch and a quick ten minute nap, my down time tend to be connected to an hourly meter.

With age and some selective wisdom, I’m accepting and adjusting my siesta standards and expectations. I have determined these adjustments are justified by the fact I am up earlier which gives me the opportunity to see many more sunrises and I am up later for some very excellent star gazing.

I like that.

“I count it as an absolute certainty that in paradise, everyone naps. A nap is a perfect pleasure and it’s useful, too. It splits the day into two halves, making each half more manageable and enjoyable. How much easier it is to work in the morning if we know we have a nap to look forward to after lunch; and how much more pleasant the late afternoon and evening become after a little sleep. If you know there is a nap to come later in the day, then you can banish forever that terrible sense of doom one feels at 9 A.M. with eight hours of straight toil ahead. Not only that, but a nap can offer a glimpse into a twilight nether world where gods play and dreams happen.” 

― Tom Hodgkinson, How to Be Idle

I am…

B…simply being. 

~God bless and peace, Y’all.~