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Archive for the ‘contentment’ Category

Love Returned

In his prompt today, David at

ben Alexander

ben AlexanderThe Skeptic’s Kaddish 

invited us to try our hand
at a poetry form
that is new to me:

Sijo

A Korean verse form related to haiku and tanka and comprised of three lines of 14-16 syllables each, for a total of 44-46 syllables. Each line contains a pause near the middle, similar to a caesura, though the break need not be metrical. The first half of the line contains six to nine syllables; the second half should contain no fewer than five. Originally intended as songs, sijo can treat romantic, metaphysical, or spiritual themes. Whatever the subject, the first line introduces an idea or story, the second supplies a “turn,” and the third provides closure. Modern sijo are sometimes printed in six lines.

David did a fantastic job with the form. Click on his name & blog title above to read his contribution.
I told him I was not sure I was even going to try… it sounds too complicated! But… with the following meme as a prompt, here goes:

Your mind will always believe, if you are ever truthful;
But when you are deceitful, you feed it sorrow, deep grief.
Feed your mind sincere love and truth, and it will be returned to you.

Bob & I send our love and deep peace
to you and your loved ones today.

Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
Will you try your hand at Sijo?

Lessons Learned

Daily writing prompt
Share a lesson you wish you had learned earlier in life.

I am not indispensable.
I used to think I was…
If I wasn’t there,
the school would have

shut down!!

low section of man against sky
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Hah! Not true…
The custodian and the secretary
Are indispensable …
Not the principal!

So unlock the misconception!
Set yourself free!
You, too, my friend
Are not indispensable!

What lesson do you wish you had learned earlier?

Lighten up!
Live, love, laugh…
Peace to you!

Hug lots,
JanBeek

Positivity

“Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.”
Proverbs 4:23

Just as water flows in constant motion,
We are asked to constantly move
In the direction of grace and mercy –
His love and graciousness to prove.

The springs of life flow in you
And are meant to overflow
So God’s joy and peace are what
Your very presence will show.
Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com

Choosing positivity brightens life;
It keeps us happy and upbeat.
Even though we encounter difficulties,
We can choose victory, not defeat.

It’s up to us to decide the kind
Of person we want others to see.
If we keep our hearts open to love,
We’ll be the best that we can be.

We can choose positivity again and again
As we focus on the good things in life.
Meet life eagerly as we tackle each task
And ask God to take away any worry or strife.

2 Timothy 2:23-25 

“Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies;
you know that they breed quarrels.
And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome
but kind to everyone,
able to teach,
patiently enduring evil,
correcting his opponents with gentleness.
God may perhaps grant them repentance
leading to a knowledge of the truth…”

Ah, TRUTH! It can be so evasive…
But a positive attitude and an open heart and mind
Can make Truth more discernible.
Seek it out with questions wise and kind.

Positive people are filled with curiosity;
They never stop asking when and why.
You can’t stop an intelligent child
From asking, “Why?” even if you try.

So foster that curiosity!
Appreciate it in your own design.
You are a Child of God, you know,
So embrace your uniqueness and SHINE!

Thank you for visiting JanBeek today.
Your positive remark in the comments below
Will add to my joy today.

Let your positivity show!!

Ready, Set…

happy sportspeople of different ages preparing to run in forest
GO!!!!

My word for 2023 is “Ready!”
Most mornings I add one thing to my list of
whatever it is I am ready for.
Some days I don’t add anything.
Today is one of those days.
I am not ready for anything.
I just want to veg…

Ready, set,
REST!

blur close up coffee coffee cup
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Do you have days like that?
Do you let yourself just rest?
Do you have that privilege?

close up photography of sleeping tabby cat
Photo by Ihsan Adityawarman on Pexels.com
Cats know how to rest…
Let’s follow their example!

Matthew 11

28 “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.”

Some days we need to stop…
and
Just rest!

I’m gonna do that today.
You gonna take some time to rest, too?


Love ya,
JanBeek

5 Ways to Lower Blood Pressure

I posted this two days ago…
before I was bit by a nasty 24-hr. flu bug.
Felt like I was hit by a diesel truck!
My birthday “Flu By” yesterday.
Today this blog sits in “Jet Pack”
saying it wasn’t posted.
I know it was…
some of you responded.
But, it’s not letting me
respond to your comments.
So, here it is again
…maybe a little different;
(JetPack didn’t keep my latest revisions…
siiiiigh!)


I’ve discovered
there are many more ways
to lower your blood pressure
than there are ways to raise it!


Those of you who read my last few blogs
know I had a bout with increased blood pressure
that went up to over 200/80.
Dangerously high!

Well, it’s going down.
Soon it’ll be back to normal.
Besides meds, here are five ways
I have found that are very helpful:

1. Relax. Stay in my pj’s and robe til noon.

2. Spend quiet time in a special spot.
Pray.
Read my Bible.
Meditate on a favorite scripture or poem.

“The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn His face toward you
and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26

So many friends/family
prayed for my health yesterday
as the Flu Bug hit me like a diesel truck!
God is good… He answered. Today I feel much better!

3. Latch on to your favorite friend
and accept the invitation
of other friends to go
and do something fun together.
(Thank God I got to do that
before the diesel truck hit!)

4. Hug a dog …
and the friends who brought the dog along
while we all went out on their ATV,
four-wheeling up into the mountains
to a beautiful lake.

Off we go…

Beautiful scenes along the way…

Wonderful fields of wildflowers…

Gorgeous SureShot Lake

Zeke is such an intelligent, sweet dog!
He loves riding in the canoe.

I rode in the canoe, too!!
What a beautiful get-away!
(Can’t get that picture to post here…
You can just imagine it!)

Oh, and the fifth way to lower your blood pressure?

5. Get a good night’s sleep after enjoying a beautiful sunset.

Do you have some ideas
for how to lower your blood pressure
if it’s too high
or how to keep it at a normal range?

Let me hear from you.

Thanks for visiting JanBeek
I send my love and appreciation for you.

How Many Ways?

How many ways can you say Thank You?


This prompt made me wonder about the ways we show our appreciation. Before I had a chance to get on my computer and augment the post, my dear friend, Peter, responded with a delightful answer. Ah yes, animals know best! Their wordless acts of appreciation tell the whole story! Which of these speaks most loudly to your heart?

gazelles
Photo by Bas van Brandwijk on Pexels.com

Peter suggested a lick on the cheek… Oh yes!

One way I like to say thank you
is by inviting a generous, helpful friend
to come for dinner.

It doesn’t need to be Thanksgiving when we express our gratitude with a meal!

Daily in prayer
I thank my Maker
for all the ways
He has blessed
our lives.

Express Gratitude in song!
It’s such a good way to say Thank You!

“Do not be anxious about anything,
but in every situation, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.”
(Philippians 4:6)

Thank you for visiting JanBeek

How many ways do you say Thank You?

Ah, Peace!

Absorb today’s peace
I’m sitting on the back porch
The wind chimes are still

Up high in the tree
A meadowlark sings to me
A good book awaits

Let company take the car
Have a raucous day
While here, peace abounds

Last night the whole gang
Enjoyed a lovely dinner
No dishes clean-up

Relatives and friends
Are sweet to come and visit
Enjoy catch-up time

Then come home to eat
Dessert on the patio
A cool, calm evening

And now let the calm
Of a peace-filled day alone
Refresh weary bones

Look carefully… see the double rainbow?

Let God’s promises
Reassure and relax you
Have a blessed day!

Genesis 9:12-13 
ESV

And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.”

John 16:33 
ESV

“I have said these things to you,
that in me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation.
But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Wishes of Peace to you
from my son, Ty, and me.

God Bless You!
Let peace begin with us!
Love,
JanBeek

Blessed to Be a Blessing

You are blessed to be a blessing.
You have been given many gifts.
They are meant to be shared;
Pass them out – give others lifts!

Share Gifts

Whether its an ice cream
That you share with your best friend
Or an outing planned to surprise
Your spouse, let your love extend.

Last night we shared a dinner
At a restaurant – mighty fine –
I had my favorite rack of lamb
In a place so fine to dine.

Bob had his favorite seafood
In a curry sauce with cream.
We shared the blessing of the meal
In this gorgeous spot… a dream!

It’s an Asian fusion restaurant
In the heart of Bozeman city.
The waitress, Marisa, did a great job –
Shared her talent – Ain’t she pretty?

If you have the special blessing
Of being able to go out for a meal
With your favorite dining partner,
Do it! I know just how you’ll feel…

Oh, and if that fabulous chef
Tucks a surprise inside your dish,
Be sure a let him/her know how much
You appreciate it… and how it was delish!

My rack of lamb with broccolini
Had a flower tucked inside.
Oh, what fun it was to find and taste it …
Some blessings like to hide!

If you’re ever in the city of Bozeman,
Look up “Sweet Chili Asian Bistro.”
It’s a delight – a real blessing – a treat!
And, take your sweetheart when you go…

We came home to a Montana sunset
That was a treat indeed for our eyes.
My friend in North Carolina sent her sunset –
Sadly Canadian fires created her smokey skies.

But the blessing in her mind was
It could be a whole lot worse.
My daughter in the Baltimore area showed
The smoke there is a real curse.

Meanwhile, returning to our home
A rainbow greeted us as we drew near –
God’s promise wrapped in the scene –
A reason always to give a cheer!!

We’re blessed with Rocky Mountain grandeur
And our intent is share it with you.
As the day draws to a close here,
Here’s a scene for you to review:

Taken from our back patio
You can see the highlighted shelf.
As the sun sets to the west behind us,
We thank God for nature’s wealth.

Bob mowed the lawn before the rain
Came and watered the grass so green.
Yes, we are blessed to be a blessing – – –
Come visit us and see what I mean!

Love,
JanBeek

What blessing are you
blessed to share with others today?

Fun Exercise

What’s the most fun way to exercise?

Walking in the Ennis Lion’s Club Park on a sunny day is the most fun exercise for me. What’s yours??

Our Madison Valley scenery is so inviting!
TazE made the walking more fun. We miss him!
TazE made everything more fun!

Do you have a dog I can borrow to make my walk in the park fun again?

What’s a fun exercise for you?

See ya tomorrow. Love, ❤️ JanBeek

High and Dry

Here we are today
High and dry in Placerville
Grateful for the warmth

Looking at the storm
From inside a comfy house
Thanking God for life

Feeling very blessed
A good book and some coffee
Listening to rain

Shhh! Hear the raindrops fall.., Well, you can imagine it, can’t you?

Grateful for the warmth
And the hospitality
Of our sweet family

Praying that you, also
Are safe and feeling God’s peace
Ready for what comes

God bless you today
May you know you’re in His care
Never be afraid

Friends, stay high and dry
Rise above all of the storms
Secure and at peace

My beloved son, Ty, and me
Safe and secure from all alarm
God protect you from all harm

Have a blessed day.
I send you my love today.

Hugs,
JanBeek

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