Thirty Days of Thanksgiving

Guidance

Health

I have been reading a very strange book that even more strangely has resonated with me. It is called One Thousand Gifts and I am discovering the answers to some of my burning, life-long questions are to be found, according to this author, in gratitude.

So when my friends on Facebook began the annual tradition of posting thirty things for which they are grateful, one on each day of this month of thanksgiving, I decided to join in.

I missed the first day, so I will add it to todays post.

Day one - I am grateful for finding this book that has helped me see some light at the end of this tunnel. To read how someone else has experienced the confusion, the doubt, the fear, the questions, that for years I had hidden deep within myself, never letting them surface for fear of rejection, abandonment, or humiliation at the hands of humanity and how she has discovered an actual solution that she proved in her own life, has been a tremendous boost to my psyche, my spirit, and my soul. Although I realize this author is not my saviour, she is pointing the way back to Him through her heart-breaking, gut wrenching, soul search. She is showing me the "how" in finding my peace, my faith, and my Savior. She is doing this by letting me see her messy life, her mistakes and flaws. She does not stand in judgment or preach from her piety and holiness. On the contrary, she has laid open her soul and shown me from her angst and doubt that one can recover through expression of gratitude for the blessings we take for granted every single day. How through becoming keenly aware of all the small but really good things in our life, we can affect a change in attitude, resulting in a change in self. I thought it only fitting that she and her wonderfully weird book should be the first on my list for thanks. I am daring to live fully right where I am. Thanks, Ann Voskamp!

Day two - As a 50 year old, I am thankful for health. Not only mine, but my family's as well. Everyday it seems, I read of someone who is facing a life threatening illness, struggling with some infirmity, or watching helplessly as their children are affected by some malady. I am so very thankful that even though we have our small and minor ailments, none of us has ever faced any really serious problem with our health. I feel so blessed and favored and it humbles me to realize, "There, but by the grace of God, go I". No matter where I have wandered, no matter how far I have roamed from Him, my God has been faithful to keep me and mine, to guard us and protect us and that fact is anything but lost on me. I don't know why I have been favored, only that I have and I am very thankful for the blessing. I am sure genetics play a part, but it is He, Who put me in the lineage from which I came, so I praise and thank Him for all the tiny components that make up the person that is me.

A Saturday Outing

Beautiful old marble building!


The State Bible


Pine Burr Quilt official state quilt design


Mammoth tooth found in Alabama


Hair and button jewelry display


Bronze Door that depicts historical events in Alabama


Amputation kits that date back to Civil War times


Quilts made from 1851-1882

I am so excited to be going to the Grand Opening of the first phase of new exhibits at the Archives and History Building! Michael has never been and the girls are game to go since they have not seen the building since about 4th grade.

We are taking Micah to Elmore to attend a Christian rock concert (with Mylissa) called Enfuego on Saturday (all day) then heading to the Archives Building to enjoy some history.

I do love downtown Montgomery because of it rich history and grand architecture. It is a pleasure to work in the downtown area. I only wish it was closer to home.

I have included some photos of what we saw on our visit. It is worth the time and effort to go visit our heritage and see how our state developed through the years.

My Crazy, Beautiful, Wonderful Life

My world has been rocked from one extreme to the other in the last two years. I have managed to keep my head afloat, keep my sanity in tact(for the most part), keep my children alive, keep my my marriage alive, and keep body and soul together.

I have spent the entire two years adjusting. Adjusting to this, morphing into that, evolving into this other thing. I have achieved chameleon status having learned to adapt to whatever the circumstance. The balance is yet to come, but somehow I think it is on its way.

I have grown from a "fly by night" child, into a chameleon who doesn't even know who I am any longer. From one extreme to the other in true "Laura" form. I have lived most of my life with "black/white" being the dominating force. All or nothing was my motto. That has brought with it much heartache and scads of trouble. There was no gray area, no in-between.

I am becoming a more tolerant person. A person who is compassionate and flexible. A person who can live and let live with full understanding that each is responsible for their own life and actions.

The pendulum is still swinging, but the velocity has slowed and the goal seems attainable.

Balance. Nothing in excess, all things in moderation. Balance.

Cycles

I am learning that life comes in cycles.

It cycles up and life is filled with fun, excitement, happiness, joy, peace, prosperity, health, well-being of mind, body, and spirit.

It cycles down and life becomes drudgery, trudging through each day with problems, challenges, seemingly overwhelming obstacles, pain, sorrow, heartache, sickness of the mind, body, and spirit.

Then it starts all over again with most of our time being spent somewhere in between devastation and bliss.

No one is immune. No amount of money changes life's ability to flatten a person. No amount of faith will prevent tragedies. The most highly skilled doctors cannot promise a life filled with health and well-being, unaffected by illness or death. No race, creed, status, gender, or religion can stop the power of life cycles.

I have learned to expect the unexpected. That does not mean I live with fear or trepidation. It means preparedness and being proactive. I realize life is ever changing and to assume circumstances will remain constant is naive, at best.

I have learned that less is more, but only if you really love the things you have. Happiness comes to people who don't necessarily have the best of everything, but who make the best of everything. Happiness, for those who have everything is difficult to achieve, for what is the value of a life in which there is nothing left, for which to live? The pursuit of happiness is rewarding in itself and the journey from birth to death is where all the excitement and adventure lie. The security lies beyond.

I now know it is not necessary to react immediately to non-emergency circumstance. Most of the time, I and everyone with whom I am interacting are better served when cooler heads prevail. Taking time to breathe, reflect, pray, and think are key in managing crisis when it arises. Sometimes sitting back, doing nothing, and letting God fight my battles is the most beneficial for all involved. Being more assertive and less aggressive when dealing with others is more productive. Respect goes a long way with people from any age bracket, culture, socio-economic background, race, or religion.

Most importantly, I have learned the value of holding fast until life cycles again. Therein lies my hope. Whether in my marriage, my parenting, my finances, my health, even my faith, if I can hold tight to what I have, life will once again turn in my favor.

Committment to those I love means even when life turns sour, I must remember my obligations and stand strong until life allows me to enjoy them once again, because it will. It is as inevitable as the changing of the seasons.

Life Lessons From Blueberries

I borrowed this from a friend's blog called Priceless Parenting. She is a counselor and specializes in child/parent relationships. Today's post is indeed priceless! Check out www.pricelessparenting.blogspot.com for more gems and jewels of parenting wisdom.


/A two-year-old girl was at our house picking blueberries and immediately eating each one. My husband stood nearby explaining to her how picking blueberries was like many life experiences. Some were kind of sour, some were sweet, some looked like they would be good but weren’t and others turned out to be better than they looked.

Like life experiences, just because one blueberry doesn’t turn out as good as expected, it doesn’t mean it’s time to stop picking blueberries. Rather each sour one teaches you what to look for in the ripe, sweet ones. He encouraged her to keep on picking and reassured her that way she’d be bound to get her fill of sweet, wonderful experiences!/

I Am Inspired! Let Me Show You Why

It is coming and I am more than ready for its arrival! I think I shall paint it!

Could It Be?

I feel great today!

Could it be the lower humidity that would indicate the sooner-than-later arrival of autumn?

Could it be, I am so unbelievably relieved to have my girls in Greenville?

Could it be, the maturity, empathy, compassion and accountability, my son is exhibiting, on a consistent basis?

Could it be, learning at my evaluation I am now considered "full-time permanent" making the difference?

Could it be, Michael is finally getting some business and keeping more upbeat because of it?

Could it be, I am finally over the crud I had?

Could it be, I am finding my faith again?

Could it be, gratitude and thankfulness for all the blessings, even through the storm?

Could it be, the realization that God has never once let me go, even when I didn't live up to His expectations?

Could it be, that acceptance of the fact that I am unable to let God down, when He is holding me up?

Could it be, all of the above?

I think so, but whatever the reason, I am enjoying this day, loving this day, and living this day. What a great feeling!