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Posts tagged ‘gratitude’

Free to Do, Free to Bee…

Thank you, Guideposts, for your inspirational daily messages. On this Memorial Day that is so different from those past, I am grateful for the men and women who sacrificed for our freedom.

Free to Live and Build

I am grateful for the freedom to live in this beautiful place in Montana where the robins sing, build their nests, lay their eggs, and feed their babies right outside my dining room window! I’m free to just bee… free to do nothing but sit and watch today… if that’s my choice!

I see that wall to the north of my dining room table. The window there leads to our bedroom.
I watched Rita and Robbie, the robin duo, build the nest and lay the eggs. Fifteen days later, they hatched!
Now Rita Robin brings worms to the babies.
They are hungry little robins, begging for more.
Rita Robin leaves… and Robbie Robin comes to feed them next! Robins mate for life. It is such fun to watch them take turns caring for the nest. Rarely is it left uncovered like this these days.

Free to Bee… Free to Recover…

I found this beautiful, stunned bird sitting on the front porch this morning. Is it a wren? It’s really tiny. Even when TazE (our Boston Terrier) went out to sniff at it, it didn’t move. It was free to just bee… bee still for a while. A half hour later, it was recovered – and thankfully flew away. Free to recover. Free to fly.


Free to Marvel

As I sit here and watch the robins take turns in the nest, I am eternally grateful to those service men and women who gave their lives that I might enjoy the peace I have today. Peace to sit here and marvel at nature. Free to enjoy the peace, and to FaceTime with my daughters across the continent and across the Atlantic.

De & Laina

Peace to watch Bob head off with a neighbor to fish the Madison today.

I hope he is free to catch a big one, like my friend Susan Phillips did this week… and then free to catch and release so someone else can be free to have the thrill of catching this beauty! Our Madison River has a “Catch & Release” policy because the trout all are natives… no “planting” allowed. It’s a world-class fly-fishing mecca!!

The pristine Madison River in Madison County, Montana

What are you free to do today?
Tell me about it.
And what are you most grateful for?

Bee grateful
You are free…
Free to
Bee silly…
Free to just Bee!

See ya tomorrow.
Have a Meaningful, Peaceful Monday.

Category:

Animals, blessings, children, contentment, Family, Fishing, friendship, Gratitude, happiness, holidays, Living in Harmony, Love, Montana, nature, peace, relationships, Serving One Another

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You: Kind, Smart, Important

Yes, you is!!
And you is well, too.
Hooray!!
You is smart like a fox!

Thank you, Paul Holdorf, for your beautiful photography.

Yup. you is so smart –
And you is intelligent –
You make a difference!

You is courageous –
And you is adventuresome –
You is goin’ places!

You is not perfect
But you know perfect moments,
And you make them count!

So now bee grateful
For all that you know you is –
And go change the world!

You is gonna tell
How is you gonna do that…
Tell me one thing NOW!!

Category:

Belief, blessings, Giving, Gratitude, Haiku, humor, Life's Challenges, Love, mental health, peace, Poetry, Serving One Another

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Switch the Channel

Your mind is like a radio –
You can tune it as you like:
Rap or blues, talk or news,
Sadness of a virus spike.

Your mind has endless channels.
It’s a miraculous machine.
It can distort the truth and scare you,
Or explain what “Do Love” can mean.

Our Bible feeds our radio
With thoughts from God above.
He tells us to tune carefully
To the stations that spread love.

Photo by Eduardo Braga on Pexels.com

Philippians 9:8

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable,
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy,
think about such things.”

Photo by Victoria Borodinova on Pexels.com

This verse in Philippians got me to thinking.
What are the things that I would consider in these categories?
Think about them… add your thoughts after each word.
Where do these words take you? What is:

  • true
  • noble
  • right
  • pure
  • lovely
  • admirable
  • excellent and/or praiseworthy
Photo by Suliman Sallehi on Pexels.com

Lift your thoughts to the highest peak.
Let your mind’s radio tune in to the thoughts that are
uplifting and worthy of consideration.
I tried that this morning.
Here is what I came up with.
I encourage you to come up with your own.
How are your thoughts different from mine?

  1. Think on things that are TRUE:
    a) The Bible
    b) The love of my family
    c) The need for friendship
  2. Think on things that are NOBLE:
    a) Active, Honest, Capable and Fair government leaders
    b) Bob Goff’s “Love Does”
    c) The work of doctors, nurses, caregivers
  3. Think on things that are RIGHT:
    a) The innocence of little children
    b) Agape Love (as demonstrated by the unconditional love of my pup, TazE… and my devoted spouse, Bob)
    c) The obligation to reach out and help the needy
  4. Think on things that are PURE:
    a) The motives of devoted, loving friends
    b) The love of Christ for us sinners
    c) Blessings from heaven
  5. Think on things that are LOVELY:
    a) Signs of spring = green leaves, daffodils, crocus, tulips
    b) Kisses from my grandchildren (and great-grandchildren)
    c) Phone calls, letters, texts from our children
  6. Think on things that are ADMIRABLE:
    a) The work of classified staff (such as nurse’s assistants and custodians) in nursing homes and hospitals
    b) The volunteer work of pastors, elders, deacons, and others who give so much time/effort to the church
    c) The donations of those who give time, food, and resources to help the needy
  7. Think on things that are EXCELLENT or PRAISEWORTHY:
    a) The efforts of teachers who are committed to continue helping students learn via ZOOM and other technology during this pandemic
    b) The scientists who are working tirelessly to find a COVID-19 vaccine
    c) The dedication of people who continue to serve in spite of the virus – – – food service workers, truckers, pharmacists, etc.

Your mind is like a radio –
You can tune it to what’s good.
Find the Philippians 9:8 channel
And think of love. You should!

Change Your Mind’s Channel
to Thoughts of Gratitude

Thanks for tuning in to JanBeek.
Tell me about your uplifting thoughts
based on Phil. 9:8

See ya tomorrow.

Category:

Bible Lessons, Faith, friendship, Giving, God, Gratitude, happiness, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, peace, Poetry, relationships, Serving One Another, truth

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A Crappy Day

It’s a crappy day
A gray and cloudy Tuesday
There’s no place to go

California’s far
For a one day drive in car
And flying is out

Switzerland’s too far
To drive, fly, or even swim
It’s a crappy time

I want to hug them
I want to see my grandkids
One has a birthday

This week is her day
To celebrate twenty-six
No, I can’t be there

Are you feeling it?
Is your separation tough?
Is your day crappy?

We just want to love –
Love one another right here
Is there a good way?

Thank God for the Net
Thank God for phones and e-cards
Thank God for your life

Gratitude’s the key
For changing crappy to good
Do you feel thankful?

Thank God you’re alive
Thank Him for your daily bread
Reach out to your friends

Write a card today
Put it in the mailbox
Brighten someone’s mood

Personalize it
With a special note from you
Let shared love cheer you

And if you live close,
You might deliver a piece
Of your berry pie

Or the cinnamon
Sticks you learned to make from Mom
Who never wasted

The left-over dough
Does that memory bring smiles?
It does that for me!

Day’s not so crappy
When you reach out with a smile;
So, try it yourself!

Don’t think of crappy
Think of happiness instead
You are what you think!

Thanks for visiting
JanBeek
and sharing below a little bit
about what you did
to change
crappy to happy
for you and your loved ones today.

Just Love One Another!

Category:

Bible Lessons, blessings, children, Family, food, friendship, Giving, God, Gratitude, Haiku, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, Poetry, relationships, Serving One Another, Sharing

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Little Things

What are the Little Things?

  • blossoms
  • strawberries
  • wine
  • tomorrows
  • joy
  • today

Today while the blossoms still cling to the vine,
I’ll taste your strawberries, I’ll drink your sweet wine.
A million tomorrows shall all pass away
‘Ere I forget all the joy that is mine, today

Photo by Posawee Suwannaphati on Pexels.com


I’ll be a dandy and I’ll be a rover
You’ll know who I am by the song that I sing.

  • music
  • songs
  • singers (like Johnny Denver)


I’ll feast at your table, I’ll sleep in your clover,
Who cares what tomorrow shall bring.

I care what tomorrow may bring!

I can’t be contented with yesterday’s glory.
I can’t live on promises winter to spring.
Today is my moment, now is my story;
I’ll laugh and I’ll cry and I’ll sing.

  • promises
  • winter
  • spring
  • this moment
  • stories
  • laughter
  • tears
  • singing

Play it again… sing along… think about the little things.

Rejoice in the JOYS that are yours today.
And don’t forget to thank God for all your blessings.

I’m praying for your health and safety,
and asking God to watch over you and your loved ones.

What “little things” can you add to that list
of things for which you are grateful?

Have a Wonderful Wednesday.
Thanks for visiting JanBeek

Share our site with your friends who need a lift!
See ya tomorrow.


Category:

blessings, contentment, God, Gratitude, happiness, Life's Challenges, Love, Memories, music, Poetry

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A Dozen Thanks; 2 NOT

Thank you for the birds that sing;
Thank you for the joy they bring.

Thank you for the kittens and cats;

I’m even grateful for bees and bats!

Photo by Alexas Fotos on Pexels.com

Thank you for Italian moms

But, no, I can’t be grateful for pandemics or bombs!

Photo by Kat Jayne on Pexels.com

Thank you for doctors, nurses, and CNA’s
Who still can smile through stressful days.

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com
Roxanne Bender

Thank you for the rivers, the stream,
And all the reasons You give us to sing.

Wm. Adams Photography

Thank You for answering our every prayer
Even when it’s “Wait” – we know You are there!

Thank You is the least we can say
For giving us another beautiful day.

Wm. Adams Photography

Be with us now and keep us strong.
May we sing Your praises our whole lives long.

Did you count a dozen reasons for thanks?
And of course, you saw the two NOTs!
Do you have others to add?

Have a Terrific Tuesday!
What song will you sing today?
Send me a link!

Here’s a link to on oldie that I love…
Tells you some little things I am thankful for.
The words are wonderful!
Are you old enough to remember it?

Bee THANKFUL for little things, my friends.
See ya later.
Bee well!!

Category:

blessings, Gratitude, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, music, peace, Poetry, prayer

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We Need Guardian Angels

Protection needed!
Our guardian angels are
Working overtime.

Surround yourself with
The love of family and friends:
Your loving angels.

My friend, Maria Mendoza, gave these cuties to me.

Angels all around
Reach out to bring you comfort.
We all need them now!

Sanctuary lights
Highlight the angelic tones –
Angels softly play.

My mother-in-law created these Faberge’-like eggs

Angels sweetly pray
For your safety and wellness.
I pray for you, too.

Seven represents
God’s number for completion.
Seven angels sing.

This glass angel is a gift from Toni Bowen.
She was here in this room before we bought this house.

Social distancing
Suggests we sit far apart –
Stand six feet away.

This ancient tiny bowl and antique carved angel with accordion are gifts from a friend in Germany

Sit in your own bowl
And do not touch anything;
Stay isolated!

Carry your concerns
Like your heart in open hands –
But wash them often.

My daughter’s mother-in-love, Denise Solioz,
gave us this darling flute-playing angel.

Like the Pied Piper,
Be an angel with a flute.
Compassion plays here.

This lovely angel was among many in a box my mother left behind.
She bought every angel in her nursing home’s gift shop before she died.
I gave most of them away in her memory to the friends in her care facility.
This, the largest of the collection, I kept as a reminder.
BettyDeA believed in angels!
She sits at the top of the circle staircase…
guarding my daily coming and going.

We all need angels
To guard coming and going
In this Virus-age.

Photo by Sebastian Voortman on Pexels.com

The winds of change blow.
The Virus changes our world.
Hang tight to angels.

Don’t let fear freeze you.
Live in deep faith and courage.
What goodness will come?

With factories closed,
Air is clearing in China.
People create new.

New ways of thinking;
New ways of doing old things.
Appreciating!

Gratitude for the
Things we saw as common-place,
Like simple touching.

Photo by Kristin De Soto on Pexels.com

Appreciating
Arenas where we gather
For sports or speeches.

Thankfulness for the
Opportunity to dance
With wild abandon.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Now authorities,
Closing our business and schools,
Keep us from living.

We remind ourselves
It is for our greater good.
What about our jobs?

What about our plans
To travel for marriages
Or for funerals?

Our vacation plans –
Things we paid for months ago –
All of them cancelled.

In the midst of this,
Can our angels show to us
The good that’s coming?

Will our guardians
Show us tomorrow’s bright hope
In sorrow’s dark midst?

Photo by Retha Ferguson on Pexels.com

Calling All Angels!
We need your guardianship;
Save us from the doom.

Photo by Markus Spiske on Pexels.com

What are your thoughts
about what’s happening with this Coronavirus –
and what ideas can you share
about how we can be
each others’ guardian angels?

Let me hear from you.
What’s happening in your part of the world?

Category:

Belief, Faith, Family, friendship, God, Gratitude, Haiku, health, Life and Death, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, music, peace, Poetry, prayer, relationships, Serving One Another

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Sky Writing

The day began in wondrous splendor

With a sky of amazing hue

It carried on until the evening

Mixing gray with white and blue.

The sunrise was super amazing

Grab the camera! Catch the gleam!

Find the Angels in formation

Rays extend in glorious beam.

You might wonder at the Master

Who created all we see.

How’d He come up with these paintings

That He shares with you and me?

This is the scene from our friend Bernie’s hospital room.

Between feathers, Bob & nurses,

There’s a scene that can’t be beat;

Ain’t this a Super way to stay off your swollen feet?

Good night, my friends.
See ya tomorrow.
Keep our buddy, Bern, in your prayers.

Category:

Gratitude, Love, Montana, mountains, nature, photography, Poetry

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Train Your Mind

What’s Easy?

  • It’s easy to see the negative. It’s all around us.
  • It’s easy to wallow in the mud & muck. It can bury us.
  • It’s easy to hear the complaining and join in. There’s plenty out there to complain about.

What’s Harder?

  • It’s harder to focus on the positive, but when we do, it eventually becomes easier to see it.
  • It might be harder to walk around the mud and avoid the muck, but when we do, it becomes easier to stay on top of clean ground.
  • It’s harder to resist the complainers and work to be part of the solution instead of joining the problematic whiners, but do it! Problem-solvers discover it’s easier to find the happiness we’re all seeking.

Be Thankful – and Express it!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1Chronicles 16:34
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

Colossians 3:15
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Yes, you can train your mind to be happy!
And learn to swim through the complications!

Do you see a sinking boat
or a raft that will take you to shore?

Train your mind to know
The quality of your life
Is safe in God’s hands

Positivity
Everyone’s happy option
Easier with FAITH!

But, actually, here is the bottom line:

Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
I love your comments!

See ya tomorrow.

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, Faith, God, Gratitude, Haiku, happiness, humor, life, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, peace, Poetry, relationships

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Beautiful Montana Skies

From sunrise to sunset the Montana skies are a thing of beauty.
This is sunset reflected on the eastern Madison Range from the western Tobacco Root Range.
In every season, Montana skies are a wonder to behold. That’s the mountain called the Sphinx. I think Ed Coyle took this photo. He is magical with his camera.
We were so happy to be greeted by these blue skies and snow-peaked mountains when we returned from our trip.
This gorgeous sunrise over the Madison Mountain range was taken by my friend, Susan Phillips. She’s a great fisherman and the waters of the Madison River lure her to fly fishing in every season.

This was our sunset … settling over the Tobacco Root Range … and luring me outside with my camera.

You can see why Montana is known for its big skies, can’t you?

Uninhibited by tall buildings and city lights, the skies are a majestic wonder. God smiles on us with such wonderful beauty here in Montana.

The sun greets us from our bedroom window with a bright “Good Morning!”
I think this is another Ed Coyle photo. Check him out on FB!

As the setting sun reflects against the mountains on the east,
the glow of evening sends the fish to their slumber…
and tells the anglers, “Time to go home!”

Photo by James Wheeler on Pexels.com
That’s our house behind all those trees.
We loved our time in CA, but it’s always good to be home!
Don’t you agree?

Good night! And good-bye January!
See ya in February.

Category:

Fishing, God, Love, Montana, mountains, nature, peace, photography

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