Thankful to be Alive

Hi all. I've had a wee bit of a fender bender this week. Luckily for me, I was driving our work truck due to my car being in the shop, or it's the concensus of everyone that I would not be here on this earth. You could say it was one of those God-things. Leaving work that night, I felt moved to thank God for this truck, and so I did; little did I know what was in store for me.

All's said and done, I've survived a head-on collision that was estimated to be over 110mph combined speed. My medical situation is stable, and I'm about with crutches for my left ankle and right knee, and as my 'bell was rung', my head's still in a bit of a daze. The firemen, deputies, and the people who stopped to help were absolutely wonderful. My husband and kids have been great, and so have been my friends and family who have called and brought meals. I am truly blessed. Praise God.

My hubby, TB posted on this, and the above photo collage is his creation.

So many have said, that God has kept me around for His purpose. I am humbled.

"The question is not whether we will die, but how we will live."

-- Joan Borysenko

Maw Broon's Tipsy Laird Trifle Tryout

I love packages in the mail. It so offsets those other rite of passage to adulthood letters that we receive and have to tend to every month. You know, the B word. However, bills and money spent for fun or to fix things is not what I'm posting about. My wonderful cousin, Peajay, has sent me a fun cookbook she found while on her holiday in the wilds of Scotland. I have a few of the old Broon cartoon books, so I've rather enjoyed this new addition to my library. Of course, I'll try out the trifle recipe first, not that the Drambuie added is influencing me at all! ;D

(not sure about copyright issue for posting the recipe here as I couldn't find it on the web, but if you want the recipe, just email me; this is a similiar one I found, but the Broon's version sounds better)

The Power to Influence

The ups and downs of life, be what they may, can be so affected by our attitudes. Life wasn't promised to be a piece of cake, as much as I wish it were. I'm not going to lecture on the shallow, be happy be positive....it's really much deeper, yet much simpler than that. TB has a good analogy of making choices; choices either rooted in fear or rooted in love. Much of my personal growth has been improved by stopping myself, and asking what is my behavior rooted in, what energies am I putting out. I think becoming aware of how much we can positively, or negatively, affect ourselves, and others is the first step...

Is your core generator producing positive or negative energy?

"We are what we believe we are."

-C.S. Lewis

"Tread softly because you tread on my dreams."

-William Butler Yeats

The Wisdom of a Smart Ass

I do try to be nice, and kind, and considerate, polite, ladylike and above reproach...but sometimes, I'm just too tired, and need to say it like it is.
Life is too short.
I suppose what put me in the mood was what DC posted about today, and the disclaimer that followed. (I can so relate to disclaimers)
In all honesty, I get so riled by people who live in their perfect little worlds, with hardly a clue at what's going on out there in this imperfect world, yet get offended when you speak of it and happen to use the world's terminology. Oh, well, some people prefer blinders and earmuffs, it's safer.
Ps. this is in no way any reference to my blogger pals...You all have your own style, but you tell it like it is...or I wouldn't be readin' it!! :)

Perspectives on Discomfort

When one considers Discomfort, most people would say that having discomfort is a bad thing. Naturally, being uncomfortable is the last thing anyone would want to be. Yet, isn't this what usually brings about introspection and change? Isn't being uncomfortable, or in need, sometimes a catalyst for invention?

Usually a spur in the side of a horse brings about forward motion. Not always, though, as there are some horses that would prefer to buck, rear, and go sideways rather than to just simply go forward. I wonder if humans aren't similar to this in some ways. Perhaps a gentle look at oneself to assess how one deals with discomfort is in order. Do you resist, fear, do your best to avoid discomfort, or the change that may be brought about by it? Or, do you embrace the challenge, not to be defeated by the discomfort, but to learn and grow from it.

Hmm, and I won't quite say that I speak from experience but I've been known to be stubborn and resistant to change, rather wanting to just argue the point at times. Not to mention avoidance of discomfort and thereby avoidance of change/growth! ;) This has definitely been a growing area for me, in that discomfort can be a good thing; and should be embraced and explored, rather than feared and avoided.

I borrowed this prayer from ER's post on Discomfort.
(and thanks, ER, for today's post inspiration)

"May God bless you with discomfort
At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships
So that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger
At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,
So that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness
To believe that you can make a difference in the world,
So that you can do what others claim cannot be done.
To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor."
-St Francis of Assisi

And, thanks to CT for bringing this quote to mind today:

"Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves, be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves"
--Matthew 10:16

Flowers by a Mountain Lake

Our schedules being what they may, we were able to get away for a 'weekend' to our favorite local haunt, the eastern Sierras. We had an excellent time, all in all, and were unimpressed to return to the "grind". However, due to reading a recent post elsewhere (ahem, HM) I'm reminded to be thankful for the "grind" for that is what allows us to provide for ourselves and to help others. :)


"I find that the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand as in what direction we are moving: To reach the port of heaven, we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it--but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor."
--Oliver Wendoll Holmes

A Change in Perspective, "The Story of a Sign"

This short film, The Story of a Sign, was sent to me the other day. It is simple yet heartwarming. I won't elaborate any further, as I don't want to sway your first impressions. :)