Monthly Archives: December 2012

December 18, 2012 · 07:50

Where Does It all Begin? Where Does It All End?

“I don’t know if the rest of the country is struggling to understand it the same way we are here,” she said. “Life goes on, but you’re not the same. Is the rest of the country — are they going about their regular activities? Is it just another news story to them?” –Donna who works at a school nearby Sandy Hook Elementary.

“There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is not deeper still.”   –  Corrie Ten Boom

We can wake up each day determined to spread compassion, forgiveness, hope, peace, joy and love within our own small world, and inspire others to live their lives the very same way. We can become accountable. We can PRAY. – Sandi Regan

 

I quote other’s words because I have no words for what happened Friday other than, I am truly sorry for my part.  And my heart quivers for the people.

What can we do to move forward?

When tragedies happen,  the enemy celebrates victory.  The injection of fear into our hearts.  Accomplished.   We all want to cry out our fear.   We run in circles  bigger and bigger, crying out loud.  Louder and louder.   It is the guns.  It is the mental people neglect.  It is the government.  We have our fingers pointed at each other as if we are all holding a gun.    We are afraid.

Fear.

I have always heard that the opposite of fear is love.   We are incapable of loving when fear grabs a hold and causes us to draw in.   Emotions such as anger,  hopelessness,  resentment, frustration, etc.  are all symptoms of fear.  We are not getting our needs or wants met and it reduces us into a state of fear.   It causes us to withdraw into ourselves and then we cannot love.    We can ask our selves a series of questions and the fear can always be revealed.   If I do not get the outcome that I want or feel I deserve, then what becomes of me?  ME.  The cycle begins.  Love steps aside to make room for fear.   The two cannot survive in the room together.

I think I need to begin WITH  ME.   To get OUTTA  ME.

So,  that I can love.

We have different agendas based on our life experiences.  We become afraid based on the feelings those experiences evoke.   And we run on that fuel.  For our whole life,  if we allow.   Fear dictates our every move.   Our every action is determined by what has happened or not happened to us in our past and how we have internalized it.

I  don’t have to allow fear to dictate my life.  I can move fear to the basement and let love take over my soul.

I use to be fearful of many,  many things.  You name it.    I think I have  stated my fears in an old post,  so I wont go there.  It helps me to determine the fears that cause me angst.  When I feel a negative emotion, I ask myself : What about this  situation am I not getting what I want?  It does take an element of honesty here.  Lots and lots of practice.  And then:  If I should fail to  get what I want or need, what is the worst case scenario?  And then: If the worse case scenario happens, so what?   If I break the whole scenario down, I am able to get a proper perspective that will disarm my fear.  Freed up to love.   Most of our fears are about things that actually never happen.

We are experts at projecting failure, hurt, disappointment,  neglect,  catastrophe, etc on our future and the future of others.  All because of fear.

So, what does this have to do with the gun man in Connecticut?   If I am able to stop  thrashing my fears onto my neighbors,  and instead,  spread the love I have in my heart to my neighbor, we will be one baby step closer to a peace.

We all have responsibility here.

It is not just about the gun man.  It begins with my behavior toward you, my behavior about you to others and  my behavior about others to you.  We are either spreading love or fear.  The media are doing a super job spreading fear.  They clearly don’t understand the fear/love connection.

This is what we are spreading.

This is what is being spread through fear.

This is what we should be spreading around.

This is what we should be spreading around.

God removes my fear  when I pray.   He does not remove my fear when I do not.

God bless,

Karen

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December 12, 2012 · 19:27

Sleepy Time

Isn’t it funny how we spend the first 12 years of our life fighting the urge to sleep or fighting the someone who is trying to make us sleep?  Oh my goodness,  don’t make me go to sleep, I may missssssssssss something.    Ages 13-25, love to sleep ONLY if it is on their terms and it usually doesn’t fall in line with normal working, living hours.   Then we get to ages 25-50 when we are SOOOOO tired but the 1-12’s and the 13-25’s wont let us sleep.    When we reach 50, there aint nothing stoppin’ us.  We get to sleep.  Sleep.   Sleep.  Unless your hormones are so outrageously out of whack that you lie awake all night as if you’ve  sucked down 4 cups of coffee for your nightcap.

IMG_3571 The way I see it, we were designed for sleep and it is a very important element to our well-being.  It is supposed to take up a third of our life.  It only makes sense that we should take it seriously.  We take eating seriously and it only takes up 1/8 of our time. (Supposedly.  Some take liberties there). We take work seriously.   A third of our time.

Where have we gotten the idea that sleep is a side bar in the grand scheme of things.  Whimpy people go to bed at a decent hour.   We apologize around here if we’re tired.   ????    “I’m sorry I’m so tired.  I shouldn’t be.    I have only fed every animal in the county, built a barn, and  shoveled pea gravel so far today, I don’t know why I should be so tired.  Please forgive me.”   Pops apologizes when he takes a nap once in a blue moon.  “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”  Does this make any sense to you?  We are nuts.

People, sleep is necessary.  It is imperative for good health.  And boy, I am finding out the hard way.  I lie awake all night and can hardly keep my eyes open during the day.

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I don’t feel like going through all the medical trauma sleep deprivation puts on our bodies, minds and souls. We have all been exhausted.  We know what it feels like.  I believe it has long-term effects.  Same as putting any other stress on our bodies.

In order for us to feel rested we are supposed to go through different cycles of sleep.  I never get to the second, third or however many there are.  Whatever cycle dreaming falls under, that is not happening.  I have read that calcium/magnesium taken at bedtime helps get a restful night sleep.  I take that and have for several years.  Ain’t workin’.  UNTIL last night I kicked it up two notches.  Guess what?  I didn’t wake up ALL NIGHT.  And you know what?  I had a super long dream taboot.  It was a nightmare, but, hey,  I’ll take what I can get.  No one got killed.  I cant wait to try it again tonight.  My bed is calling me as we speak.

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I love sleep.  I hope I can really sleep again someday.  It does wreak havoc on our lives and I don’t think we have a healthy respect for it.  Did you know that getting rest is one of the Ten Commandments?  For goodness sakes.  I think He is really serious about this rest thing.  I think I wanna do my part.   If I can.

Rest is spoken of many times in the Bible but the following verse is one of my all time favorite verses.  It makes me want to collapse and breath a huge sigh and smile in delight that we were designed to and for rest.  Amen,  sista.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

Do you just love it?  LOVE IT.

I’ve even gone as far as embroidering “sleep” verses on blankets.

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I will pray for sleep for you, if you pray for sleep for me.  Deal?

God bless,

Karen

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December 10, 2012 · 10:56

Changin’ It Up

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Every Christmas things change.  I think I have mentioned that I used to not look forward to Christmas.  That has changed.  Well..I don’t pine for it, but I sure feel the joy and anticipation of the birth of Christ as I never have before.  Before, the commercialism overwhelmed the real meaning for me, and I totally let it bring me down.  How do you feel about it?

This weekend we had an empty schedule so we messed around with decorations.  Pop dealing with the usual outside light predicament.  At our old house we just didn’t have enough juice to feed his hunger for an exterior spectacular.  At the new place, the lights keep going out cause he’s trying to run about 600 feet of light to one outlet.  We have plenty of juice coming to the barn for this.  I kid him, but I realize, as always, it is a challenge to do what he is trying to do.  I am embarrassed to even mention how much we have spent on extension chords.   Ya gotta love these guys that HAVE to light up the world.  You really do.  Have to love them.

Another change.  We went to the Christmas tree cutting down farm this weekend.  We went to the same one last year too and came home then with a much smaller tree than we’re used to.  But, what the hay?  Empty nesters.  I’m ready for a table top.  The kids all walked in last year and said, ” What the heck?”  Wait til they get a glimpse of this year’s.   This year we got a Christmas “stick” instead of a tree.  I dont think you could even call this a branch.  We laughed.  The tree people laughed.  And fun was had by all.

Tree all bundled up from its ride home.

Tree all bundled up from its ride home.

One thing that is sad about the tree farm.  They said that a few species, like the Frazier, which we usually get, all died this past year.  They tried to grow more and they didn’t make it.  They have been continually stressed by the climate conditions and just decided to go north.   ugh.  God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.

So, are you ready for the unveiling of our glorious weed?

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Jesus would love this tree. So would Charlie Brown.

We do not have a large corner that would be an obvious place for a tree.  Who knows, next year we may put it outside  and just look at it through the window.  That,  of course, would become part of Pops outdoor spectacular.

Last year, I bought a larg’ish nativity scene to put in a stall (where it should be.  Wasn’t that where our glorious Savior was born, anyway?) I lit it up and it looked beautifully appropriate.  But they were lonely.  Or rather, I was lonely for them.  So, I put them where I could see them this year.  In the woods behind our house.

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I really wish I could see what you have done to prepare in the way of decorating for this season.  Post on facebook your creativity.

God bless,

Karen

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December 6, 2012 · 12:58

Are We Original? Or Copycats?

We are all creators in one form or another.   Are we creating something that has been done  before,  or are we original?  As an artist, I think I’m being original.  But the fact is, I’m not.  Literally everything I do has been done before in someway.  My unique style and interpretation or impression  makes my work original.  The gift  that God gave me and only me.  He wants us to use each other for learning, inspiration and encouragement.   I’m sure you’ve heard that copying is the highest form of flattery.  Just as long it is not copying verbatim, I am sure.  I’m glad you like my stuff,  but don’t take it and call it yers.

There are few people in the world that are truly original. Thomas Edison.  Benjamin Franklin.  Bill Gates.  da Vinci.  Those kinda folks.  Even the lady who invented Spanx was just modeling her product after the ol’ girdle.  Not sure her name for it is better though.

Dale Chihuly is an artist. I have studied him for years but recently  I saw a documentary about him that stunned me.  He blows glass.   In that regard, he is a copycat.  His style is so completely original that I’m almost sure that he is the only guy that has done what he does to date.  In our history. I could be wrong.   Enjoy his beautiful glass gardens and sculptures.  Complete and utter genius.

Dale Chihuly

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PENTAX Image

Chihuly

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I hope this brightens your day as it has mine.

God bless,

Karen

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December 2, 2012 · 14:10

Never Ending Saga

Who likes working out?

I think it is a mental game I play with myself.   The thought seeps dread into my bones.  I have to peel myself out of the chair to get the game rolling.   I get to the work out room.  I spend the first 10 minutes surfing the tv to find the perfect show that is going to get me through this dreadful event.  When I lived in the suburbs, I would walk into the gym and immediately scan all the TVs to find the show that was going to make the game tolerable.  Most of the time, there wouldn’t be anything I like, which makes sense, since the only show I watch is Jeopardy.   I do watch the Bachelor from time to time.  I know.  I know.  Really bad.  But I liked the Dating Game when I was little too.  Something about match making.  That’s a whole nother deal we don’t need to get into.

Anywhooooo….Am I sounding familiar?  Just wondering if it’s just me.

Green Acres is the place for me. 

Farm livin’ is the life for me. 

Land spreadin’ out so far and wide

(to  keep this body from jigglin’ from side to side.)
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Well… that  is what I thought.  I never would have to work out again when we moved out here.  Hiking up and down these hills, hawlin’ buckets of water to and fro, heaving huge bags of feed over my shoulder, etceteraaaa, etceteraaaa.
I got through Spring and Summer without much damage but fall and winter are creeping in.  Right up my legs.  My chore load has slowed way down.  Walkin’ back and forth to the cow barn ain’t cuttin’ it.
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I look and feel like a Crispy Creme doughnut.  But what I’d like to know, is how did I get to look like a crispy creme doughnut when I haven’t eaten any.
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 But, boy, I’d like to.
So, today,  I have begun the long journey back.  ugh.  I know it wont take too much,  but it’s just that dreaded thought of planned, contrived movement.   Do I move enough in a day?  The answer is yes.  But I don’t like having 2 sets of boobs popping out of my bra,  if you know what I mean.   So, I must take action.
We all have a comfortable place for our bodies to be.  We allow it to get uncomfortable for a while, then action needs to take place.   That is not a bad thing,  if we don’t sit in that uncomfortable place too long and let it grow into an uncomfortable, unhealthy place.  If that goes on too long we wallow in an uncomfortable, unhealthy,  sick place and then bad things lead to real bad things…..you get da pitcha.
Life is full and round,  isn’t it?  I just love it.
What I wonder is…we all suffer from lots of ailments during this time of year that surround the holidays.  I wonder if we moved our bodies and made the healthy food and drink choices during this time if we would slide through unscathed.  I’m thinkin’ I know the answer to that.
Have a super, blessed week.  God loves you.  And me.  Thank goodness.  I couldn’t carry on if He didn’t.
God bless,
Karen

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