ADVICE

It is amazing how much advice I have been getting.
Even people I meet walking who usually just say hi are giving me advice about yoga etc.  It is all good advice and I will give it some thought.  It is important to believe anything is possible,  I do hope to be walking better and I believe I can.

Growing older is about many things like being thankful for the family we created but also it is about dashed dreams
It was cold and windy and dull when  I woke up this morning.  When I get ready to go for my walk dad is awake watching golf.  There is always some sports on the T.V. and the football is now starting.

I feel like I have little angels whispering in my ear giving me advice.  Another walker stops me again this morning because I have my cane.  Actually I start out carrying it and as I get tired I start to use it.  We agree that doctors are not really helpful but it comes down to being responsible for your  health and happiness.  I feel shivers as the wind blows right through my clothes.  Not really cold enough for a jacket but maybe a warmer sweater.

Sandra picks me up later in the morning to drive to the Thrift Store to look for an old-fashioned dress for me for my birthday tea on Friday.  I need lots of help making up my mind even after trying some things on over my clothes.  I did not see anyone else doing this but sometimes it is good to dare to be different!

I could have an amazing wardrobe if I shopped there regularly and became good at it.

My brain book suggests I learn new responses to life
Do not mistake moods for reality
Adopt  a higher vision for your life and live by it
Reduce stressful conditions
Be generous of spirit
Exercise 0nce  a day

"By setting out on the path to find the real you, you will emerge into the light and see life in a new way."    - Super Brain Solutions

FRIENDS

The boys, dad and Geof wanted to sit out on the patio but Jane and I found  it cold so we  put on whatever we had available in our cars.  Then we look at each other and laughed.  She has her trench coat and I have a sloppy jacket and it is covering up our nice outfits.  We are getting mature but still very young at heart.

We enjoy a good laugh together.  Both of us have July birthdays to celebrate but the time has come to stop present giving.  What we give to each other is affirming grace and support.  There is an authentic transparency in our friendship.

At every stage in life there are different problems and courage is needed to face them.  We have learned that we cannot fix other people's problems although we would still like to try.  We  have also had real and difficult conversations like good friends do. 

We all enjoyed a fun time together with a very humorous waiter who gave us excellent service, although he did put Jane's order in wrong but that was put to right later.

Dad and I did some shopping on the way home and Carol had left a message about joining them for supper but we had used up our energy for the day.  Very thoughtful.

Ken phoned thinking my birthday was the 18 but that is dad's in Feb.  He has a very busy family life with all the problems that go along with that.  Melina was working so we did not talk to her but hopefully next time.

Sometimes it is hard to feel happy but if we are thankful for what we have and let the good Lord take care of our future.  Not easy.  Happiness depends not on what happens to us but how we handle it.

Today it was good to share our happiness with our friends.

"You gain strength, courage and confidence with every experience you face."   E.Roosevelt

CLOSED

I am having trouble with my computer which is confusing.

Today dad and I are having lunch in White Rock with Jane and Geof. I am finding more and more that I am talking, reading, walking with my eyes closed. The good thing is that I am aware of it. I even sit at the stop sign and close my eyes and then pinch myself before some one honks behind me.


I have a appointment for a M.R.I on Sept. 2016 which I think I will just cancel.

Dad did some digging up of daisy roots which is a very hard job.

I need to clear a path so I can walk through.

Both ponds are working very well now.

Looking forward to a good visit.

DIARIES (FRIDAY)

I did manage to visit Jim yesterday.  I hope that I am learning that freedom from judgement is a good thing; but a very hard thing.  I found a change of attitude on my I think on both our parts seemed to help.  Jim was pleased to see me.
Pain is pain.  Empathy is empathy.  Lovability or not.

Nice to have Carol drop in for a visit at lunch time.  The wind was very cool so she wrapped herself in a blanket as we sat outside.  This is what happens when you live in the Caymans.

I have a chest that is full of diaries and journals.
I remember as a teen-ager having a sleepover and the three of us girls shared our diaries.  I had lots of romantic hopes and dreams about falling in love with prince charming.  The trouble was I had really spilled my heart out while the other two had written down facts and events.  Of course they wanted me to read more and more.  Yes, today it would be laughable but not then I felt kind of embarrassed.

  Good for you Theresa I hope you have lots of laughs together.

And if you do find your prince charming you soon discover he is off to fight the dragons and leave you to fight your inner dragons!

I am reading that I am responsible for my own happiness.  Jesus said: "The kingdom of Heaven is within you."  In other words the kingdom of happiness.  Look within and let go of fear and sadness.
We have been created to be containers of LOVE.  And it is limitless.  Be passionate. Our work is a gift that requires  energy and commitment.

I wanted as a child to be a writer and as an adult I wanted to be some one who can be helpful.


I also have been keeping a record of thank-you letters written to us.  I put the letter with a picture.  Times have changed now and thank you comes by computer.
 









 

MASTERPIECE

“The wonder of life is often overlooked.”

I am walking slowly but it gives me more time to not only smell the flowers but to appreciate the beauty and stop and take pictures.
“The preciousness of being alive,
of appreciating ourselves, each other, and our world is often the last thing we remember in our rush to handle the daily details of  life.”
_ Michael Stillness
Looking at the fragility of a beautiful flower reminds us how fragile life can be.  How fragile the human spirit is and the awareness that each one of us brings beauty into the life of others.  A life of laughter and tears.  My challenge is to live my life to the fullness of the knowledge that in the sight of God I am becoming a masterpiece.

In the past I would become overtired trying to do what I thought I "should." 
I was too narrow minded in my religious approach to life.
This gave me a sense of security that I needed to hang on to. 
I have calmed down so that the stress of being over tired or right is now going
out the door and now the wind of the spirit is free to lightly blow over me and through  me.

Both dad and I had walks today.  Dad thought he was seeing a wolf in front of him but it was a dog and his owner soon appeared.

We talked about going down to the beach but it is too hot for us, spent time in the cool of the shade deck.

I believe that above all God desires us to be fully alive. 

Sure we are aware of life's realities, war and conflict, floods and fires, and the rising cost of everyday living, health problems that seem to have no cure; but maybe each in our own small world are making a difference.

It is not a time to panic but to find a peace within that helps us trust that there is goodness and love in this world. 

Thanks for the phone call Kim!

ATTITUDE AND ACTION

Sad,  but also relief,  that our friend Shirley has passed  on to eternity on  Monday afternoon.  Our minister had a visit and a prayer with her and I know she would appreciate that, she was unconscious.  She is now released from all suffering and loneliness.  She was a beautiful soul who will be missed by many.  She was in good spirits right to the end!  She was a good friend!

  In my life I have the community that is family where people come and go, I have my walking community where we do not really know each other but there is always a smile and a short greeting.  Yesterday, I met the Japanese hugging gramma who I have not seen in a long time.  She talked away and I just smiled and agreed.  We hugged and she bowed and gave me the blessing of two hands together.Then there is my neighborhood community where we keep an eye out for each other.  And  yes I have my blogging community, a great bunch of characters.  There is some risk in every community that touches our lives but always a knowing that we are a part of so many other lives.

 

None of these are competitive or exclusive.  I see shows like survivor and I see fighting and cheating and no sense of loyalty as each person is out for themselves.  There also has been a growth in spirituality that emphasizes the solitary journey of self-seeking.  This can become the work of the ego that continually searches for pleasure and happiness.

All of these groups help me to adjust my attitude at times and to try to live out with action my beliefs.

Yesterday dad and I drove over to see Vera and Howard and also Leah.  Vera had left for awhile
and Howard was fast asleep.  We had a good visit with Leah before she would try to wake him up and feed him and try to get him to talk a little.  Leah put in another application so I hope and pray she finds some steady, better paid work and not have to try to do two jobs.  Her second job is going to the home and helping for a few hours.  They had the music therapy lady there and she had them playing little instruments and singing.  Just watching her made you feel happy.

Right beside them was another room where people were painting and creating masterpieces!  I admire the patience and the energy that is put into these activities.

In scripture we are called God s masterpiece each and every one of us!  Ephesians 2:8-10

We stopped at the Art Naps nursery to pick up one little flower to fill in where the daisies had been pulled out.

 I will go for my walk and take pictures of other flowers.

MORNING SKY

Much cooler this morning with lots of cloud formations.
I love the early morning so cool and fresh.   do a bit in the garden then head out for a walk.




I am thankful for the community that is my church.  It is there we can share friendship, resources and  support. 
There are the positive and there are the negative as we all have our own opinions about how things should be done and by whom.  We are living in a dream world if we expect perfection.

The Hebrew Bible is built around community and covenant with God.  We can see the problems that arise because of this feeling that their God is the only god and they are the chosen ones.

The New Testament affirms that joining together in fellowship, prayer and worship is important.  Community is a enlargement of family life in which there will be both conflict out of which comes growth; and love and unity.  We cannot expect one without the other.

Dad's eyes seem better in the morning but he knows it will get worse again as the problem has not been solved.

Enjoyed my lunch out with Lee as we had a lot to catch up on.

Last night as I was watering I saw some one taking a picture of my garden!  That was a surprise!

I know I am not doing well with my blog but I will keep trying.  Your comments make it!