Spreading love, joy, peace, faith & unity

Posts tagged ‘ideas’

Embrace Outcomes

Mike & Karen Crowley hosted the appetizers

When a friend comes up with an idea
And you concur, what do you do?
Do you encourage your friend to progress?
Do you join in and help the idea come true?

My neighbor, whom I had not seen in a while,
Said, “We need to have a get together.”
I concurred and suggested a dinner –
A progressive dinner – pray for good weather!

Well, the weather cooperated, and so did
The “Hood” – our neighbors on our ridge.
Last night we had a wonderful time…
Time to set aside masks – cross that bridge!

So we did it… the first hosts had appetizers.
Then it was lasagna at our house with yummy bread.
Across the road we went for dessert —
Our tummies and our hearts were well fed!

“The Hood” dinner at Beekmans
The Hocking House is a perfect gathering place!

We are blessed to live in a place where we
All get along with our neighbors as friends.
We’re so relieved this pandemic’s isolation
Has finally subsided – The separation ends!

When a friend comes up with an idea,
Encourage the thought and run with it!
You never know til you give it a try
How very much you’ll have fun with it!

Back at home – beautiful evening sky

The outcome of Karen’s idea to get together
As more successful than we could have guessed
So – if you have an idea, my friends, share it!
Don’t keep the outcomes buried in your chest!

What idea are you ready to share and run with?
Trust your instincts.
EMBRACE the OUTCOMES!

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.”

Come join us for dinner!

See ya tomorrow.
(God willing!)
Have a great weekend.

Love, JanBeek

Marvelous Montana & Morning Plans

Sharing more pictures
from yesterday’s autumn colors ride
I wonder why some are golden
while others remain green?
So many wonders to behold everywhere we looked!
The picture doesn’t do it justice.
With the sun coming through them,
those trees were pure gold!
Our friends, the Feldmans, led the way.
I posted this one yesterday.
Bob told me today, “Those aren’t aspen.”
Well, anyway, I like their color!

Before I leave you this morning, I want to share something I found on FaceBook:

#11 on the list
is at least a half hour
of journaling and beginning my blog post

I do #9 regularly.
I love the Proverbs.
There are 31 chapters.
Today read Chapter 22. Full of wisdom!

I’m at #11 on the routine list right now.
Do you get notices like this from WordPress?
I wonder what’s magic about 1337?
You’d think they’d wait til 1500 or some round number, wouldn’t you?
Anyway you look at it though, that’s a lot of posts.

I hope you spend some time perusing them
by putting your favorite topic up in the search bar at the upper right.
Topics like bees or animals, Switzerland or Jesus will lend some beautiful results!

I appreciate your visit.
I’m off to do #12…
See ya tomorrow.

Sending you my love,
JanBeek

Creative People

Creative people
Keep their great ideas in sight
Daily massaging

Creative people
Aren’t afraid to take great risks
They grow through failures

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

It can be painful
And expensive when we fail
Pick up the pieces

Photo by Thiago Matos on Pexels.com

Examine the parts
Carefully rearrange them
Then find new uses

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Look at those messes
As valuable mistakes
Creative messes!

Photo by Steve Johnson on Pexels.com

I’m off to visit my friend, Bern, in the hospital. He has a creative mess in his hospital room… feathers and wires, hooks and string, paints and brushes, easels and canvases all over the place. But, instead of sitting or lying in his bed feeling sorry for himself because an infection has rendered his legs too weak to walk steadily these days, he is using his creativity to bring joy to life while his body heals.

You and I can do that, too.
We can bring joy to life
by using our
ingenuity
creatively!

What mess do you have
that is waiting for resurgent rearranging
and new uses today?


Go do it!

See ya later.

Not My Responsibility

z-Responsibility

These are things that are
NOT my responsibility
Look around

Other people’s:

  • ideas
  • opinions
  • actions
  • consequences
  • beliefs
  • mistakes
  • words

These are the things that
ARE my responsibility
Look within

My:

  • ideas
  • opinions
  • actions/efforts
  • consequences
  • beliefs
  • mistakes
  • words

Today
Today
Take Responsibility
for the things
that are yours to control.

Be thoughtful
Be active
Be prayerful
Be kind
Be creative
Be passionate

aged ancient asian buddhism

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Be all that God made you to be.
Ask Him to help you meet
the people He wants you to meet.
Ask Him to help you know what
He wants you to say.
Ask Him to help you do
what He would like you to do.
.
Take responsibility
for
yourself.

Bee loving!
pray-to-see-best
See ya tomorow.

Meaningful Memories

Welcome to Day #13
of my A-Z series,

How to
Add Greater Meaning
and Find More Purpose
in Life

Today’s letter is “M”
The topic: Meaningful Memories


My Memories Haiku

All have memories
Some more vivid than others
We’d like some to fade

person uses pen on book

Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com

But, not really…
Even painful memories serve a purpose.
As we reflect on them years later, we uncover truths –
Truths about ourselves we may not have realized at the time.
That’s what makes them meaningful!

As a writer who loves to write poetry, and someone who is exploring the significance of memories for adding meaning to our lives, I was fascinated by this

Interview with Poet kjmunro

by Frank J. Tassone

Question #3 was, “Is there anything you dislike about being a poet?”

Poet Kjmunro responded, “Sometimes I wish that I could be more comfortable in a crowd – but that may have more to do with being an introvert than being a poet. Writing poetry helps me to make sense of my life & my experiences, & because of it I have pushed my boundaries, accepted challenges, & pursued opportunities that have enriched my life… I can’t imagine my life without it.”

(You can click on the interview title above and see more of this meaningful post.)

woman holding blue shakspere book over face

Photo by JJ Jordan on Pexels.com

 

Likewise, I cannot imagine my life without the gift of writing – both poetry and prose. I enjoy writing poetry. I love reading it. I treasure the opportunity to share it.  Writing is a way to keep memories alive. It is a way to make sense of my life and my experiences. It is a way to express gratitude, to plan ahead, and to reflect. It is a way to push boundaries and accept challenges.

Yesterday in our Writers’ Group, the writing prompt was, “Tell Us About Someone You Used to Love.” The prompt brought to mind some very vivid, meaningful memories. Let me share my story with you:

Someone I Used to Love

I need to get up and face the student body on this October Spring Rally Day. But, I don’t want to.

I have made it as far as the front steps of the historic, brick Turlock Union High School before sitting down and letting the tears fall.

The sun is bright. Because it’s school spirit day, I have on one blue and one gold sock. My black and white saddle shoes are tucked beneath my poodle skirt with layers of crinoline fluffing around me. The blue and gold pom-poms lie motionless beside me. I look for the usual friends. No one approaches. They must all be inside already. Loneliness rings as the bell sounds the warning: first period will begin in ten minutes

What is it that has created such reluctance and dread in my soul?

About a week ago, my tall, athletic ex-boyfriend approached me in the hallway. “You know you don’t have any friends. The only reason people say Hi to you is because you say Hi to them first. If you didn’t, no one would talk to you.”

Oh my! Could it be true? Why was Richard telling me this? I used to love him. We used to have great fun together. Mutt and Jeff, they called us. Just because I broke up with him and am now dating soeone my own size, does that mean this 6’4″ basketball star should suddenly start bullying me?

Back in the 50’s I don’t think I knew the term “bullying.” I didn’t realize that’s what Richard was doing. His words cut deeply.

I decided to test out his hypothesis. I stopped cheerfully greeting everyone I saw with a “Hi!” Instead, I looked at them, waiting to hear their greeting first.

Richard was right! Most kids just looked quizically in my direction and walked past – or worse yet – they didn’t look at me at all. I felt like I must have forgotten my deodorant that day!

Now I’m feeling alone and abandoned on the front steps. I have ten minutes to get to class. With a deep sigh, I get up, take a deep breath, pick up my pom-poms, and head inside. My buddy, Phil, voted “Best Dressed Guy” in the senior class, walked up to me when I entered the building. I glance in his direction.

“What’s wrong with you lately?” he asked. “You’re being so stuck up!”

I told him what Richard had said.

“Oh, for cryin’ out loud,” he reprimanded, taking me by the shoulders.

I looked up into his caring blue eyes with tears in mine. “But Richard…” I sobbed, “he said…” I couldn’t go on.

Phil wrapped me tightly in his arms right there in the middle of Turlock High’s crowded hallway. Backing up a bit, he put his hands on my shoulders again. He leaned down and whispered, “He’s just jealous – and hurt. A big basketball star can’t stand it that his girl left him for a 5’3″ Stumper. He’s just trying to hurt you back. You just be the girl you always were. Don’t let anyone take away your perkiness.”

I used to love Richard. Now I just feel sorry for him. I saw him coming toward me as I headed for class.

“Hi!” I perked in his direction and walked on – shoulders squared – head held high.

***

Reliving these vivid memories more than sixty years later, I realize how impactful Richard’s words and Phil’s encouragement were. It was an important growing up experience. I haven’t let anyone take away my perkiness since then.

Meaningful memories stay with us – and change us – forever.
Thank you, Phil, and Richard!

***

Do you have a meaningful memory?
One that helps you make sense of your life and experiences?

95 Years of Life Lessons

Living Fully Every Day

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My 95 years young friend, Carol, was in the hospital. Her face lit up when I walked in. It was a joy to see her. We chatted about her recent birthday, the family who came from far and near to celebrate with her, and about my trip this year to visit our daughter and grandkids in Switzerland. I shared that one of my grandsons may come to live with us for a time – and how Bob & I look forward to sharing life with him for awhile.

I told Carol, “With eight decades of living under our belts, we find joy in sharing some of the pearls of wit and wisdom we’ve picked up along the path.”

I asked Carol if she would share some of her life lessons with me. I don’t think I was prepared for the depth of her sharing. But, as soon as she began, I knew I was in for a treat. I grabbed a paper and pen and asked her if she would mind if I took notes. Carol used to be a writer, too … but she finds it hard to set pen to paper these days. So, knowing I love to write, she grinned widely, and nodded.

“Here are some things I have learned as I’ve grown older:

  1. Life softens.
  2. Things aren’t so urgent.
  3. I can fall in love at all ages.
  4. Life constantly changes – be open!
  5. It takes judgement to realize the possibilities life holds.
  6. We’re happier if we count our blessings.
  7. Our lives become more dimensional with years.
  8. Love is huge!
  9. We all must take responsibility for ourselves and our actions.
  10. . Life comes together in a natural and beautiful way.”

I read her list of life lessons back to her – choking up more than once in the process of doing so. Such wisdom! Such articulation!

“I want to be you when I grow up,” I told her. “I hope I can learn and internalize those lessons as beautifully as you have done.”

Carol and I hugged – and as I left her, she called after me, “It all comes down to living fully every day.”

May you, my dear blogging friends, live fully every day, too. Reach out to a loved one and ask, “What have you learned as you’ve grown older?” Their answers may surprise you.

Share one of your life lessons with me today.

Self-Love

photo of person holding multicolored heart decor

Photo by Marta Branco on Pexels.com

Self-Love

You’ve been told many times
That you have to love yourself
Before you can freely give
Love to someone else.

Well, toss that idea away.
It’s a lie – it’s pure deceit.
If that’s an idea you cling to,
You’re headed for defeat!

The love you have to give
Did not come from yourself.
It came from your divine Maker.
He gifted you with this wealth.

You were made in His image.
You were loved from the very start.
You have love that’s overflowing
From your Heavenly Father’s heart.

Accept with joy the unconditional gift.
Then pass it on to all you meet.
You’ll find by giving back that love,
Love is a two-way street.

I love you, dear and precious reader.
I love that you came to visit.
I freely give my love to you…
Pass it on!
Self-love’s not a prerequisite.

Joyful Comments

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When you take the time to comment
On a post a friend has shared,
You leave behind a footprint
On the heart;  your soul is bared.

When you leave an affirmation
And you take the time to care,
You tiptoe on the heartstrings,
Leaving love behind you there.

It creates a warm assurance
When a reader clicks the “Like,”
But nothing leaves an imprint
As deep as what you type.

So, when you “like” the posting
And you leave your picture there,
Please go just one step farther.
Write the “why” in comments fair.

Your thoughts, your honest feelings
Leave an indelible footprint on
The soil of shared ideas.
They’re the seeds that grow the lawn!

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