Can you find a quiet space right where you are? Can you share it with a pet or a partner and release your shoulders and your stress and enjoy life in the moment?
Get off the merry-go-round of life. Step down from the carousel of cares And unclench your jaw. Drop the tongue from the roof of your mouth And take a few very deep breaths.
“For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.”
As we approach life through the lens of grace, dreams are possible, dreams come true, and we learn to never stop dreaming.
Fishing boats in Alaska
My husband, Bob was scheduled to go on a once-in-a-lifetime fishing trip to Alaska this year. Except for this pandemic, he would have been there right now.
Ah yes, he was going with two buddies. One of the buddies used his fly miles to arrange for Bob’s transportation. That financial help made the trip possible, because even with that help, Bob was out of pocket over $6,000 in various reservartions.
When the pandemic hit – and masks are required at the lodge and restrictions were going to compromise the enjoyment of the experience, the guys decided to cancel.
The company gave them credit, not a refund. Good for 2021. They keep the money until then.
Unfulfilled Dreams
Both of Bob’s buddies are at least a decade younger than he is. They were fine with the idea of a credit… and waiting to use it in 2021 when we dream of this CORONA-19 Virus being under control with an effective vaccine.
BUT, Bob said, “At 81, how do I know what my health will be like in a year? How do I know if I will be able to fly to Alaska and enjoy the rigors of a fishing trip?”
He wanted a refund. “That’s a long time to keep that much money of mine,” he told the fishing company.
I overheard the conversation. My response was, “It’s okay, Bob. Let them keep it. Let them give you a credit. Plan that 2021 trip, and look forward to it! Know that your health will be fine – and you will be strong enough to go and enjoy he experience. It’s important to live with unfulfilled dreams. When we stop dreaming, we stop living!”
Catching the big one!
Dream Big
Dream big, Bob! Imagine catching that big one! Imagine spending a week or two with your good buddies. Imagine being healthy and strong and holding that big one all by yourself!
Pray for God’s grace as you look forward to each tomorrow. Live with gratitude for the health and happiness He gives you each day. Know that He cares for you… and that “of His fullness” we have received – and will continue to do so.
Dream Big. Never Stop! Live with unfulfilled dreams. Let them keep you moving forward.
Thanks for stopping by today. I send you my love and best wishes for a DREAM BIG day! What are your unfulfilled dreams? Hugs, JanBeek
If you don’t have water running in your house, then your toilets don’t work. Have you lived in your house without a toilet working and with no outhouse? That’s what we’ve done… and our dear neighbors let us drive the 1/4 mile to their house to use their bathroom when we needed it this week. At night, we’ve slept in the church manse where we could use the toilet when needed without driving to the neighbors’ place at midnight!
We’ve been updating the water system in our house – replacing the water tank, pump, radiant floor heating system, etc… Long story as to why this was necessary, but suffice to say, I am not complaining. I know I am blessed.
I know there are people in this world who have to walk miles to get drinking water – or any kind of water for that matter – and they carry it on their heads to bring it home to their families. So, am I complaining about driving a quarter mile to use a toilet – or about not having running water in my house for a week? No way!!!
Water to Thrive provides clean safe water to rural African communities by connecting donors, sponsors, congregations, schools and community groups directly to communities in need.
There are many organizations related to clean water and building wells in remote places around the world – where fresh, running water is a luxury. I hope you find one that you can support – – – The people who receive your support will rejoice, for sure!
People all over the world are in need of fresh water for their survival. Being without running water in my home for a week has certainly taught me empathy.
What charity is dear to your heart? Have you ever been in a situation where you lacked the water you needed for your daily needs? Tell me about it.
Are you fed up with it? Do you feel it is robbing us of our sense of purpose and our wisdom?
These are some questions I gleaned from Scilla Elworthy, the elderly South African woman in the Ted Talk above:
Are you fully alive in your body? Do you have energy and attractiveness in your soul? Are you content with what is? Can you remove the mask, let the wrinkles show, and still like yourself?
Dementia is a real fear for me. My mother was diagnosed with it before she died. My sister is in a home today – a nursing home – being cared for because she has Alzheimer’s. It is in my family. Is it in my future? I cannot dwell on that! I must live in the NOW and love myself so I can love others. The keys are:
gratitude,
prayer and meditation,
time in nature… being outside with things that are alive
What about death? It is inevitable. Approach it with curiosity. Think through it. Know that death is not finality.
What are the gains of growing older? We can speak out! Dare to speak up about those things that we think are wrong! Stand up for those things! Make a contribution by making a difference – by being true to ourselves.
Know that with age comes wisdom. Wise, experienced leaders are a gift to the world. As we age, we can be that older, wiser person who sees beyond the horizon. The world need us!
But age and wisdom are not synonymous. Wisdom does not come automatically. We can’t live in a foxhole and gain wisdom. We need to go out and risk adventure. Risk rebuke. Risk the world hating you. We need to be true to ourselves as we lift our heads to what is happening around us and seek the solutions to the challenges we all face. We can’t be ostriches with our head in the sand.
A friend of mine said she has decided that the best way to avoid dissension is just to avoid having an opinion. “I try to remain totally objective – with no opinion expressed. Opinions just garner arguments,” she said.
We can’t let ourselves live in that kind of fear! Avoidance invites stagnation.
“Whoever is free from all fear will always be safe,” Scilla Elworthy said in the Ted Talk above. So, we must let go of any fear we have of speaking out.
What do you care about? What’s your opinion about aging? Let’s hear it!!
Derrick told me I earned every wrinkle. I told him, “… and every silver hair, too!”
I’m not afraid of growing older. Just don’t call me old!! See ya tomorrow. Love, JanBeek
When families break down, Children are so resilient. But, sometimes they need help!
Today at Madison Valley Presbyterian Church in Ennis, Montana, we had two guest speakers. They were from Intermountain, a program/place for children in need.
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As you know, if you have been with me a week or more, I take sermon notes in poetry every Sunday as I listen to the message. Here are the notes I took as I listened to Tyler, Zimmer, one of the Intermountain representatives who spoke to our congregation today.
Prior to the message scripture I was happy to be the scripture reader sharing these two passage:
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments I give to you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home, and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands, and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”
Mark 10:13-16
People were bringing little children to Jesus to have Him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And He took the children in His arms, put hands on them, and blessed them.
We need to commend children’s good, And scold them when they are bad. When children come to Intermountain, They are victims of the life they’ve had.
Abused children are engineers of their demise When they act out of their hurt and pain. The Bible explains in Deuteronomy The impression of love for children’s gain.
A girl from Haiti came to Intermountain Who had been abused horribly as a child. She was a master of her demise As she rejected compliments and acted wild.
One little guy came as a selective mute. He was a master at keeping quiet. But when he beat me 4x in Battle Mountain, He told me how bad I am! What a riot!!
These children who’ve been so abused Are not throw-away kids. They are LOVE. They can, with help, overcome challenges. Let’s all pray for them for help from God above.
Amen!
It is not only God who helps them as we pray for their souls and their ability to trust and to bond, but it is the staff of Intermountain, and the people who donate to keep the program alive and effective. Intermountain provides housing, education, clinical counseling, recreation, love and support for the children. AND, it provides folllow-up when the children return to family settings. Intermountain continues their counseling and support in the school setting as well.
Job 5:9 “He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.”
Every day is a MIRACLE!
The fact that I was able to go on that ATV ride yesterday on those bumpy, rocky trails is in itself a miracle. You know I had hernia surgery on my mid-section last month. To enjoy yesterday with Bob & our friends was a WONDER, for sure! And today I am no worse for the wear… Thank God!
I remember now The terrible destruction And our lack of help.
I wonder why we Didn’t do more to assist? Do you wonder, too?
Google says, “The Micronesian nation offers beautiful white beaches, exotic wildlife, and intriguing culture and history.”
Through the miracle of You.Tube you can take a virtual trip to Guam and you can learn about its history and see its beauty… and you will WONDER how many of these gorgeous places might have survived or been destroyed by that hurricane. This video was created in 2016 and the hurricane was in 2019.
Like me, you will WONDER why this site doesn’t list the PEOPLE who died in this tragic event. Certainly they are more important than the $3.3 million in damage. And you want to hear stories of the MIRACLES of survival in the midst of such devastation, right?
As I quoted from the Bible at the beginning of this post, in Job 5:9 it says, “He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.”
Everywhere we look in this world, there are wonders and miracles to behold. Open your eyes to them, my friends.
I told you some of the ones I see and some I would like to travel and see. How about you? What miracles do you see? What wonders do you want to see?
How do you see yourself? Do you know YOU ARE A MIRACLE? How alert is your funny bone?
Are you ready for the miracle of laughter that brings healthy endorphins into your body?
Are you laughing?
Keep on laughing. It does wonders for your mental health! Love ya, JanBeek
Bryce Jessup died this week. He was 88. He dreamed of celebrating his 90th birthday by climbing Half Dome in Yosemite and standing on his head!
Bob has paid over $7,000 for a fishing trip to Alaska. The trip is cancelled because of this pandemic. The fly-fishing company has denied a refund. Instead it is a credit for his 2021 trip to Alaska. Bob wanted a refund because he’s not sure at 82 he’ll still be “up” for the trip.
I told him, “You have to allow them to credit it for your 2021 trip! As Bob Goff teaches us, Dream Big! And we need to live looking forward to the dreams of tomorrow. Know you WILL be a strong 82 year old! Live (or die) with unfulfilled dreams!”
That was Bryce Jessup’s secret to a vital life … he died living his dreams.
Let’s all do the same!
Hugs to you.
I’m headed off to go 4-wheeling with that 81 year old vital guy!!
Every time Bob and I see someone who is driving like they don’t have a brain in their gray and wrinkled head, we comment to one another, “Too many birthdays!” We’ve been doing that for years. And guess what? Now we are they!!
Gray and wrinkled Bob with graying TazE… Hey, her butt didn’t used to be gray!!!
Well, at least HE is they! At 81 (he’ll be 82 in December), Bob is 5 months ahead of me. He’ll always be older! I can smile in the rear view mirror, wear a hat to cover the gray, and pretend I’m still a young chick! Heck, age is just a matter of how you feel, right? HEALTH is everything! Love is essential. God is good!
Yup, today is my birthday… and for the next 5 months, Bob & I are the same age. No way!!
The hair may be gray, and the face has a few added wrinkles with “too many birthdays,” but age is a matter of the MIND. Right? If you don’t mind, I don’t mind!
Just don’t call me old!!
Tell me I’m “bee-YOU-tiful” like this card I received yesterday from Bob’s sister! (Thank you, Bonnie)
And pick a few flowers from your garden to decorate your table… like my neighbor, Sue, did yesterday. (God bless her)
Keep singing and dancing (ya gotta keep movin’), writing and blogging your thoughts, dreaming and making those dreams come true, living your passions, and you’ll never have “Too Many Birthdays” – no matter how many years the calendar tells you!!
It’s time to open presents, sing the birthday song, blow out a few candles (don’t try to count them!) and praise God for the years he has given me “Too Many Birthdays!” I’ll take ’em all – gladly!
I’m happy to be in the passenger seat! I thank God every day for my health, and for my driver, Bob!
Have a Fabulous Friday! I’ll see you tomorrow and tell you all about my “Happy (not too many) Birthday!”
Yesterday I posted a picture of my sister, Sally, and her husband, Dave, with Bob & me. Only 3 people have clicked “like” on that post which was titled “Speaking to Dementia.” I think it was a post that deserves a lot more views and “likes”than that. In it I posted some tips on how I was able to get a few words and a smile out of my sister while we were on a ZOOM meeting.
Also, I resposted some tips from our niece, Tammy, who is a nurse, about some do’s and don’ts when communicating with people who have dementia or Alzheimer’s.
I am not going to create a new post today… but instead, in a “Throwback Thursday,” I am asking you to click on “Speaking to Dementia” over on the right margin… and take a few minutes to review this crucial subject. You just never know when you might be the one who needs this information next!
