Spreading love, joy, peace, faith & unity

Posts tagged ‘happiness’

Doing Your Best

Donna Marie Nielsen, a dear fellow blogger shared a gripping story and a marvelous poem on her WordPress blog, The Father’s Feet:
https://thefathersfeet.wordpress.com/2020/04/02/revealing-gods-power/

Please go to her post to read the story and become acquainted with Donna. Here is her poem:

TRIED YOUR BEST 

At the end of my life  

when I stand before the Lord, 

I just want to hear Him say, 

“You tried your best.” 

“You may not have always succeeded 

and yes, there were times 

 when you failed; 

but you never let Me down for  

you tried your best.” 

“The gifts that I gave you, 

you did try to use. 

You may not have always used them, 

indeed many times you did fail, 

but it is okay 

I love you, 

You tried your best.” 

“You listened for my voice. 

You did your best to obey. 

The words that I spoke,  

they pierced your heart and you 

 tried your best 

   to let them change you those days.” 

“You were not perfect,  

I did not create you to be. 

I knew that apple  

would be picked off the tree. 

I know you are not perfect, 

 that is okay with me.” 

I provided my Son to take all that away. 

All I ever wanted from you my dear child 

is to know that you wanted to 

try your best.” 

“Tried your best  

to do the right things, 

tried your best  

to be the best you could be.” 

“In all your relationships, I never did frown, 

I saw you my child, you were  

trying your best.” 

At the end of my life when I stand before the Lord, 

more than all else, with such love in His eyes, 

I want to hear Him say, 

“MY child, you 

 TRIED YOUR BEST.” 

-Donna Nielsen

Starts with Mind-Set

Part of trying to do and DOING your best is mind-set. It’s where all the effort begins… in your head and in your heart. If you’ve followed my blog very long at all, you know I begin each day in my “Angel Room.” It’s my favorite room in the house.

I sit in that rocker and enjoy quiet time with God.

In my sanctuary, I pray, meditate, read devotionals and the Bible, and often write letters and cards to friends. Often the inspiration for my blog comes during my sanctuary time.

It Takes Divine Guidance

Before I leave my sanctuary each morning
and walk down the spiral staircase,
I ask for Divine Guidance, I pray,

“Lord, take me where you want me to go today.
Help me meet who You want me to meet.
Tell me what you want me to say.
Help me be what You made me to be.
Show me what You want me to do.
Help me walk in Your Way.”

These days, with the COVID-19 restrictions in place, He doesn’t want me to GO very far from home. The people I meet are usually on ZOOM or MarcoPolo, FaceTime, FaceBook, or here on WordPress. But, I do ask for help with what to say here on my blog, elsewhere on the internet, in phone calls and messages, and on those cards I write.

God helps me live up to WHO He made me to be… and I try my best to follow His lead. That’s all we can do you know: DO OUR BEST!

Great Resources

There are so many great resources out there to help us on our daily walk. Guideposts is one of my go-to sources. I have been reading their Daily Guideposts for at least a decade.

Recently I received a complimentary copy of Strength & Grace, daily devotionals for caregivers. I was tempted to pass it along to a friend who is caring for her recuperating spouse, but then I read a page or two, and I decided it is very pertinent to all of us who are sequestered and taking care of ourselves – and whoever may be living in the house with us.

The inside cover says,
“Everything is possible for one who believes,”
Mark 9:23

Today’s message, April 18th, was titled, “Caregiver Foolishness.” It might have just said, “Our Foolishness,” because we all are foolish at times! We all occasionally make “careless mistakes or unwise decisions.” The message went on to explain:

“Foolishness strikes when we are tired and vulnerable, making us feel even worse.” But don’t stop there, we are told, “The opposite of foolishness is wisdom – God’s specialty. We may be fools, but God is always there with us, ready to carry us when we blunder.”

You HAVE received!

Try Your Best and Believe

So, the good news is: God knows our hearts. God knows our sincere efforts. He shares His wisdom and strength with us.

As long as we rely on God, it’s okay to be foolish at times. After all, we’re mortal. He did not create us to be perfect! Just join the Guideposts prayer team and me:

“God of strength and wisdom, even in my most foolish moments, You are there. I thank You for Your wisdom when I try my best, and for Your grace when my best doesn’t measure up.

I thank You for Your strength when I am weak. Help me always to remember, as Donna Marie wrote in her poem, ‘At the end of my life, when I stand before the Lord, I just want to hear Him say, you tried your best!’

Help me with my mind-set, my adherence to Your divine guidance, and my wise use of the many resources out there to assist my efforts. Help me in my Belief and forgive my doubts.

In Jesus Name,
Amen”

My efforts may not
always be trophy-worthy,
but I try my best!

Thanks for your visit to JanBeek today.
Do your best to have
a restful Saturday night
and a blessed Sunday.

Bee well!!
See ya tomorrow.

Category:

Belief, blogging, God, Jesus, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, peace, Poetry, prayer, Sharing, writing

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Laughter is Good Medicine

We all need to laugh
Laughter is good medicine
Brings good endorphins

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Laughter reduces pain, increases job performance, connects people emotionally, and improves the flow of oxygen to the heart and brain. Laughter, it’s said, is the best medicine.

Let Laughter Reign

I hope you laughed out loud at some of these. I did!
Did any of them shock you?
Did that make you laugh louder?

The Major Function of Laughter

Some researchers believe that the major function of laughter is to bring people together. While we are socially distancing (afterall, you may be thousands of miles from me), we CAN laugh together!

You may have been surprised that this usually prudent 80 year old blogger would post more than one meme with the word “asshole” in it. Right?

But did you laugh, or did you just breathe deeply and say, “Oh my!”?? Deep breaths are good for you, too, you know!!

Did you know that laughter reduces blood sugar levels? It is believed that laughter increasing glucose tolerance in diabetics and non-diabetics alike. It’s worth a little shock effect of naughty words, don’t you agree?

All the health benefits of laughter may simply result from the social support that laughter stimulates. Just loosen up and laugh, my friends. It’s good for you! It keeps us connected, even though we may be far away.

Photo by Godisable Jacob on Pexels.com

Have a happy day… laugh a lot … and spread your joy…
Especially during these extraordinary times.

What meme or comment
have you seen or heard
that made you laugh out loud?

See ya tomorrow.

Category:

friendship, Haiku, happiness, humor, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, Poetry

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Four Ways To Overcome Fear

Sometimes this COVID-19 feels like we’re walking through the “Valley of the Shadow of Death,” especially when we see the staggering statistics from Italy and realize how quickly the virus is spreading in places like New York City.

A friend told me today he feels we’re living in a period akin to the Great Depression or the Dust Bowl era. Songs are being composed about it. There are thoughtful essays being written. Scientists are creating impressive graphs showing the statistics of known contagions to death tolls and analyzing the relationships to age and climate. Novels will be written that will be classics in the decades to come.

How do we live through this “Valley of the Shadow of Death” without fear?

There are the usual responses: pray, sequester and meditate, have faith, bury your head…

But, while I do believe in the power of our Maker, and I pray daily for the Source of all comfort to bring us healing and peace, there are a few other ways I keep myself FROM feeling the gloom that seems to be enveloping so many. You probably have a list of ways, too. I’d love to have you share yours with me.

Here are my four favorite remedies for avoiding the paralysis of fear:

  • Music – sing, play, or listen to uplifting songs on YouTube or XM Radio. I love seeing those folks on their balconies in Italy making joyful music together, don’t you? I just listened to Bono and Will.i.am singing a song they wrote for/to the Italians. Google it! Music soothes the soul and uplifts the spirit.
  • Write – as a blogger, you know how therapeutic it is to put words on paper, in a journal, on a card to a friend, or here on WordPress. Write about what keeps you positive and passionate.
  • Connect – on the internet or by phone, through a window or across a fence. I just installed a new app on my phone and iPad. It’s called ZOOM. Do you know it? The basic version is free. It’s like FaceTime, but it works on other platforms besides Apple products. My friends in California and Bob & I had a great conversation. It was like sitting across the table from our friends who are 1200 miles away from us. We miss them and it lifted our spirits to see and reconnect with them.
  • Walk – when the weather permits, go for a walk with your dog or a friend or both. I did that yesterday in our Lion’s Club Park. Yes, we practiced social distancing, but we could chat and laugh and encourage one another. It’s good for body and soul. And TazE loved it, too.

Do tell your dog he’s gotta walk, too!

Tell me, what ways do you avoid walking in the “Valley of the Shadow of Death” these days?

What are your favorite ways of avoiding fear?

Thanks for dropping by.
Visit a while, okay?
Add your ideas below.
See ya tomorrow.

Category:

Animals, blogging, books, Faith, friendship, happiness, health, Life's Challenges, Love, music, nature, peace, pets, relationships, Serving One Another, writing

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Treat Each Other Kindly

Donna, who has the WP post, “My Father’s Feet,” posted these scriptures today among others – and among many other important words of encouragement:

Matthew 7:12 NLT
“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.”

Galatians 6:10 NLT
“Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone–especially to those in the family of faith.”

Check out Donna’s post here:

https://wordpress.com/read/blogs/167421393/posts/853

Smile and brighten the corner where you are!

A Time for New Discoveries

My friend, Elaine, who has avoided poetry most of her life (after a high school experience in an English class (where diagramming sentences and picking poetry apart looking for rhythm and rhyme scheme and very hidden meaning turned her off) is discovering the poet in her soul! She sent me these Haiku. She wrote them this morning:

Our world is amiss
One alone proves capable
Gentle as a kiss

Photo by Natalie on Pexels.com

And here is Elaine’s second one:

Choose to share kindness
Chaos only seems to reign
Care completes circle

Kindness in Chaos?

In this crazy world where people sometimes are behaving irrationally, it is easy to write some people off and say they are off-limits! They are adding to the earth’s problems, rather than trying to solve them. One of my followers wrote this note yesterday:

“I’m all for being positive, Jan,
but some people’s behaviour is sickening …
like some here who are selling paracetamol on eBay
for £10 and Calpol for ,£20!”

What to Do?

What should we do about those “sickening” people? Do we write off the toilet paper hoarders and the ones buying cases of hand sanitizer, and the price gougers? Do we condemn the politicians who sold off hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of stock after a preliminary briefing about the upcoming pandemic? Condemn ’em and throw all the bums out??

27 Jesus said in Luke 6:27-31

“But to you who are listening I say:
Love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you,
28 bless those who curse you,
pray for those who mistreat you.
29 If someone slaps you on one cheek,
turn to them the other also.
If someone takes your coat,
do not withhold your shirt from them.
30 Give to everyone who asks you,
and if anyone takes what belongs to you,
do not demand it back.
31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Kindness Rules!
Kindness completes the circle of life
as we want it to be.

Let your creativity reign.
Give birth to your inner poet .

Be the change you wish to see in this world.

My niece, Jodie (my sister, Sally’s daughter in PA,
just sent me a picture of this bouquet
with a note that said,
“Bill brought sunshine to our home today <3 “

What kindness can you exhibit today
to add love and sunshine to your home?

Photo by Engin Akyurt on Pexels.com

See ya tomorrow.

Bee well!!
Hugs from JanBeek

Category:

Bible Lessons, blogging, Family, flowers, Giving, God, Haiku, health, Jesus, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, Poetry, relationships, Serving One Another, Sharing, writing

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Where is Happiness?

www.facebook.com/powerofpositivity/videos/10155341876067371/

😃♥️

I hope the link above will take you to this very inspiring post. In the face of a world-wide pandemic, our lives seem at peril. Our world is changing. So many events are being cancelled. We’re told not to shake hands and to keep our distance from others. We’re worried about whether we might be carrying and spreading the Coronavirus. The National Basketball Association just cancelled future games until further notice. Tom Hanks & his wife are filming in Australia and they just found out they have the virus.

We can live in faith or fear. The choice is ours. Be prudent. But, be positive, too. Choose happiness – and make that contagious! Go up and click on that link. It’s just what I needed to see/hear tonight.

God bless you.

See ya tomorrow.

Category:

Life and Death, Love, mental health, relationships, Serving One Another

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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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Keep the Spark Alive

Next Tuesday Bob & I will celebrate our 58th anniversary.
We still have that spark alive and well!
We started celebrating already
by going to a wonderful
“Food & Wine Pairing Event” last night.

Later today, when Zach, the coordinator of the event, sends me pictures, I will share the photos of the various plates with you. They were small portions, but delicious and beautifully presented. No one left hungry. It was quite something!

The venue was the lovely Madison Valley Ranch on Jeffers, MT

Bob thoroughly enjoyed his conversation with our friend, Els, afterward. During the meal he got to sit next to Doug Badenoch, the wine guru from The Wine Gallery in Bozeman, MT. Doug was the one who chose the wine pairings. He did a great job.

Here’s Matt, the chef.
He did a great job, too!

Today is a snowy, cold day in Ennis. It’s a good day to stay hunkered inside.

Gotcha in prayer.
God knows your needs.
I’m asking Him to hold you.
He will.
Believe it!

Keep the Spark Alive…

See ya later.

Category:

blessings, food, Gratitude, happiness, Living in Christ's Family, Love, Montana, prayer, Serving One Another

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Optimism is Far-Sighted

If you’re myopic
Looking only at your feet
You can’t see the joy

Photo by Gratisography on Pexels.com

Ya gotta look out
Optimism’s far-sighted
Valley’s got mountains!

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Today’s tasks are hard
That’s a lotta wood to chop
The warmth is worth it

What does tomorrow bring?

Know that your troubles
Aren’t going to last forever
Optimism reigns!

Don’tcha just gotta see the optimism
when you look at Bob’s giddy face?

Thanks for looking out beyond
your blog to see mine!
I hope it cheered you.
I love you, my friends!

See ya later!

Category:

blogging, contentment, Haiku, happiness, humor, Life's Challenges, Love, mental health, Poetry, self-acceptance

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God Grins Back

When you smile,
God grins back!
Smile!
Go ahead, chuckle a bit!
God grins back.
Smile!
Go ahead, laugh out loud!
God grins back.
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

GROAN!
Go ahead, shake your head in wonder…
God grins back.
Go ahead, grin.
Pick the one that resonates with you.
Share it!
God grins back.

What is something
that makes you laugh out loud,
or at least grin,
or chuckle? Share it with me!

See ya later!

Category:

friendship, God, happiness, humor, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health

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All Good Things

They say all good things must come to an end. We are on the tail end of our five week break from the cold Montana winter. It’s been a wonderful set of experiences with family and friends.

If you’ve been following along, you know we left Ennis, Montana on Dec. 23 and spent Christmas Eve and the week following at our son’s in Placerville, CA.

You may remember that we went from there to Bob’s older brother’s in central CA where we spent New Year’s Eve and a few days after.

Bill and Bob spent long hours discussing family history.

Then we enjoyed a weekend in Redlands, CA with dear friends who live 50% of the year in our MT “hood.”

On January 6th we began our 2 week stay in a rented condo facing the 9th fairway of the Rancho Las Palmas Country Club in the sunny Coachella Valley. While there we had the joy of hosting, entertaining, feeding, and sharing time with a dozen or more family and friends.

Plus, we took time for walks in the desert and time for ourselves in the relaxation of the jacuzzi.

From Rancho Mirage we returned to the San Joaquin Valley where we spent a few days with Bob’s younger bro & his family – and then a few days with my BFF, Marcie. In Turlock I had a whirlwind of lunches and reunions with long cherished friends, some of whom I had not seen in the 20 years since I retired.

Both of these dear ladies had lost at least 30 lbs. since we last met. It was sooo good to see them looking so happy and healthy!

And now, as I said, all good things must come to an end. We are on our way back full circle to our son’s in Placerville, CA. Then onward to Montana. It’s been a great trip. Our last night with Marcie included another reunion with a dozen long-time friends. Lotsa hugging. Lotsa laughter. Lotsa love shared.

Judy & Sally with Bob
Monica, Jeannine & Bobby
Suzette dropped by to visit – she’s one of my favorite all-time colleagues. I hired her right outta college and next year she’ll retire!!

Time flies when yer havin’ fun!

I pray you’re havin’ fun, too.

Thanks for sharing the highlights of our CA adventures with us.

See ya tomorrow.

Category:

blessings, Family, friendship, happiness, life, Living in Harmony, Love, Memories, Sharing, teaching, Travel

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