Richard (Dick) Peterson has a blog titled From Big Sky Buckeye
In it, Dick shares entries from his journals. Today’s entry said:
“Resilience allows life’s next breath to continue with another step.“
AI generated that “big step” photo for me. I find it interesting that big step and next breath are used in a way that links our head to our feet. It is true for me that when I am ready to take a “big step” it has to be a decision made at the head and heart level.
What next step are you ready to take? Will it take resilience to take that next breath and continue?
I have had a break from my blog for awhile. Why? Spending time with visiting friends and family this summer and early autumn has taken precedence. Also, for the last 300+ consecutive days I have been doing a daily French lesson on Duolingo. Can I speak French now? No… But I can read and understand some. Time to move on. So, I’m exchanging that focus for now. I’m returning to my daily blog posts. I hope you’ll join me.
Today, I reread a response from a friend who wrote to me back in 2021 with this comment:
“You lit a candle in my mind and heart this morning when I read your blog post … Thank you for spreading love, joy, peace, faith & unity through your blog…”
I kept a copy of that blog response in my journal titled, “I Can and I Will, Watch Me!” The entry that day in 2021 was, “I CAN Be an Inspiration.” That is my mission… and I have been neglecting it here on WordPress. But, I’m back!
My journal has 124 entries, each starting with “I Can…” As the “Inspirational Leader” I read one a month last year to my friends at Madison Valley Women’s Club. They responded very favorably to the inspirations. For the next few months, let me share one a day with you, okay? Hopefully you will follow along, and “I Will” be an inspiration to you, too. “Watch Me!”
I CAN Inspire!
I’m not in retirement I’m in re-inspirement Each day a new opportunity To inspire and To be an inspiration grabs me!
What is the secret to being an inspiration?
Love people and Try to understand them.
Reach out in love today.
Sincerely tell at least three people today, “I Love You.”
Each month our Madison Valley Woman’s Club meets for lunch and a business meeting. My role in the organization is to be their “Inspirational Leader.” As such, I share a message with the ladies – – – and this year I have chosen a selection each month out of my journal titled, “I Can, and I Will… Watch Me!”
Today’s “I Can” message was titled, “I Can Share.” And what I shared was the ideas from a link my friend, Lee, sent me titled “Embrace Values.”
Embrace Values
Wearing a $300 or a $3 watch – – They both tell the same time.
Whether they carry a $300 purse or a $3 handbag from the Nearly New – – The amount of money on the inside is the same.
Whether we drive a $150K car or a $30K car, – The road and distance are the same and we get to the same destination.
Whether we drink a bottle of $300 or $10 wine (if we drink it all) – The hangover is the same.
Whether the house we live in is 300 sq. ft. or 30,000 sq. ft, – The loneliness is the same.
You will realize your true happiness does not come from – the material things in this world.
Whether you fly first class or economy, – If the plane goes down – you go with it.
Therefore… I hope you realize – When you have mates, buddies, and old friends, brothers and sisters who you chat with, laugh with, talk and pray with, sing songs with, talk about north, south, east, and west, that is true happiness! And they will share and agree with you on these:
Five Undeniable Facts of Life
Don’t educate your children to be rich, – educate them to be happy so they will know the value of things, not the price.
Best awarded words in London: – Eat your food as your medicine – otherwise you will have to eat your medicine as food.
The ones who love you will never leave you for another – because even if there are 100 reasons to give up, he/she will find one reason to hold on.
There is a big difference between a human being and being human, – only a few really understand it.
You are loved when you are born. You will be loved when you die. – In between, you just have to learn to manage!
NOTE: If you just want to walk fast, walk alone! But if you want to walk far, walk together! – Thank you for walking together with one another here in this, Our Madison Valley!! God bless you!!
Our ladies in the Madison Valley Woman’s Club are those kinds of friends. We are so blessed to have one another to work with, laugh with, meet with, and care for. Thank you, Ladies! I love you!!
If you’ve followed my blog for a week or so, you already know that I journal most days in this little book that is dedicated to my dear and daring daughter, DeAna. I don’t write in it EVERY day, but often I do, when I am up in my sanctuary, motivated by my devotionals. Today was such a day.
Look ahead, my friend Live Life Forward Stare out the windshield Not the rear view mirror
Look toward the future Find the unexpected gifts Share the love and grace You find at every turn
Share the laughter Share uninhibited joy Share compassion Ease each others pain
Find the hidden treasures ‘Neath the tears of sorrow Let them wash you clean Ready for tomorrow
Look ahead, my friend Don’t let the past upset Live life forward And bury all regret
If you have followed my blog for a month or more, you have seen this journal before. The topics are inspired by life and living. I have written about: I CAN Volunteer Share Bee Hospitable Tackle Transitions etc.
Little did I know when I wrote some of those how difficult some would become. Hospitality requires guests, right? Well, so much for that! Most of our friends are afraid in this pandemic world to socialize.
Little did I know how hard it would become to volunteer. Most of my volunteer activities are forbidden right now. I can’t be a “Purple Lady” at the medical center desk. Our auxiliary couldn’t hold its fund raiser this year. We couldn’t earn the money to donate for new equipment and/or medical supplies as we have done in the past.
Yes, that’s right… $31,700. donated . And remember, we are a little town of about 1,000 residents!
We couldn’t have our usual Madison Valley Medical Center Christmas party.
Little did I realize how many opportunities I would have to “Tackle Transitions.” Back in June of 2018 when I wrote on that topic, God knew what was coming, but none of us had a clue. My transitions poem was prophetic:
Times of transition Can be disconcerting – Facing the unknown Running, dodging, skirting.
Life is full of changes; Nothing stays the same. Rolling with the punches – Listening for our name.
In the “roll call” of life, Showing up to be Ready for transitions Sometimes is difficult for me.
But I know the Leader Is my Maker who decides What my next assignment is. In Him my life abides.
So, embrace the coming changes; Set aside all fear and sorrow. Joyfully put your hand in His; He’s gotcha covered for tomorrow.
Choosing JOY in the midst of this pandemic is not easy. My list of “I Can” do’s has changed this year. But, I try to keep it positive:
I CAN Believe Only Imagine ReJOYce Whistle!
You recognize some of those. They became blogging themes. This morning’s I CAN prompted today’s post:
I CAN Keep it Simple
No large family gatherings No stockings stuffed with toys No sounds of giggling laughter From excited girls and boys
No trudging through the snow With accordion on my back No carols at windows Or St. Nicholas with his sack
It’s a different sort of year COVID-19 has changed us quite a lot We cancelled our travel plans And we altered what we bought
Christmas Day will be different We can mourn the things we miss Or we can vow to keep it simple Pray for those we cannot kiss
The virus and death took too many – They’re in Heaven with our Lord Let us focus on Christ Jesus And the grace He richly poured.
Believe the Christmas promise Jesus came to save our souls Eternity knows no endings His love comforts and consoles
Keep it Simple!
This nativity is over a hundred years old. It belonged to my grandmother. I treasure its simplicity.
My sister is one who went to her eternal home this year. Sally would have been 83 on December 20th. Eternity knows know endings. I will see her again someday. I Believe! Thank You, Jesus!!
Have a Beautiful Christmas Week! Thanks for visiting JanBeek today. See you tomorrow.
In my journal yesterday, I created a six stanza Haiku. It’s where I’m comin’ from on this day when I delivered Bob (my sweet husband of 58 years) into the hands of a surgeon. It’s a relatively straight-forward procedure… an angiogram to determine any heart issues that were not detected with the x-rays and EKGs. Bob is in good hands… and I am here in the hotel room relaxing:
What is Heaven like? I can only imagine. I see glimpses here.
The help of a friend The love of dear family Colors of sunrise
The pureness of snow Unconditional pet love Hidden surprises
Magnificent Son Thank you for your sacrifice So freely given
The warmth of welcoming hugs
Sending tight, heartbeat hugs to Bob as he undergoes his heart procedure
My daddy’s hugs were the tightest!!
… and eternal rest – That’s where my daddy is now. What is heaven like?
I can only imagine!
Hugging blankets works When hugging arms aren’t available
Just got a call from the hospital. Bob is out of surgery. Heart looks good. No blockages. No stents needed. Thank you, God, for hearing and answering prayer.
Thanks for visiting JanBeek and praying with me! You’re the best! See ya tomorrow.
Do you journal? Do you write most days – Only here on WordPress? Do you write in other ways?
Journaling on WordPress Is a great opportunity, But I might not say All that occurs to me.
My journal from Marcie & Monica
I have a wonderful journal – A gift from two good friends. They gave it to me last year Knowing my journaling never ends.
Today I wrote an entry About how November’s end – And how Christmas is coming Right around the next bend.
But, I don’t want to squander All the lesson November brought, So I recalled all the Take-Aways Each November devotion brought:
Which of those take-aways Speaks to your heart today? Which will you carry with you As you travel on your way?
Each day I read the message And in a word or five, I take the thought I need This day to live and thrive.
I invite you to also journal If it isn’t already a habit. Find a booklet that fits your taste Then think your thoughts and grab it!
Grab that booklet daily To augment the things you say On WordPress to your friends here. Your grandkids will love it some day!
This is another of my journals
Do you journal? Do you write most days – Only here on WordPress? Do you write in other ways?
Journaling can be very therapeutic. It can get things off your chest. Then you can refer back to it. It can be comforting at best!
If you don’t journal in a booklet, Try it, my friends, start today. You may discover, as I did, It’s a place to finish your “say!”
Reading your journal later Is like looking in a rear view mirror. It helps you see what was And makes today seem clearer.
Try it! You’ll like it!!
Bye for now. See ya tomorrow. Hugs fromJanBeek
This song by Roy Clark tells us, “I never stopped to think what life was all about…” Well, I find that journaling helps me to that as I can recall “Yesterday When I Was Young” by looking back…
I climb the stairs each day, Then I turn on the light. Sometimes it’s still dark out. I rock ’til it gets bright.
Sipping my cup o’ coffee, Rocking as I pray, I meditate and read His Word As I welcome each new day.
I can rock away troubles; I can sit here and be still. I can listen to the Spirit, And discern the Father’s Will.
I can rock in my wicker chair Until my head and heart are clear. I can feel the Lord’s presence And thank God He’s ever near.
And when my rocking’s over I thank Jesus for his time, And slowly I descend the stairs (It’s my 12-step program climb).
Climb down to face the world. Climb down to start my day. Use the Fruits of the Spirit In a thoughtful kind of way:
Thank You for the LOVE,
the JOY
and the PEACE that are mine.
Help me, Lord, with PATIENCE,
KINDNESS
GOODNESS
and FAITHFULNESS (which brings blessings)
Can you read the word above the door? It says, “Blessings.”
8. Help me with GENTLENESS, 9. and SELF-CONTROL.
10. Help me live HUMBLY with an ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE 11. and a response of GENEROSITY, FORGIVENESS, 12. OBEDIENCE and INTEGRITY.
IN JESUS NAME, AMEN! And now I am at the bottom of the stairs where these words greet me across from the front door – “The Greatest of These is Love” – and these angels smile at me on the wall beneath the stairs:
A gift from Norbert and Elke Schaller. I say a prayer each day for them, too – They and their daughters, Simone & Caroline.
I rock! And my day will rock, too Because I have taken time to pray. I rock! And you will rock, too Because I pray for you, too, each day.
This is page one of my prayer list.
On the back side of this page Is a list of each WordPress friend. I ask the Lord to guard you. Rock on! Accept the love I send.
Thanks for visiting JanBeek. Have a love-filled day! See ya tomorrow.
Meantime, enjoy this song that was a hit in 1955 (I was a sophomore in high school… great memories of rockin’ school dances!!)
