Loving One Another

Posts tagged ‘positivity’

June was Bustin’ Out All Over!


Yup, June was Bustin’

Yup, June was bustin’ out all over… and I’m glad it is behind us! My hernia is gone. I’m on the road to recovery. I appreciate all your prayers and good wishes.

The surgery that was scheduled for 12:45 yesterday ended up not happening until 4:30, so they kept me overnight. I was so glad they did! The nurses and assistants at Deaconess Hospital in Bozeman were so kind and efficient. I really needed that extra time of TLC before returning home… and Bob needed a good night’s sleep before driving that hour up and hour back to get me.

June’s Behind Us

Now that June is behind us – and I am on the way to healing, let’s pray that our world can put the last 4 or 5 months behind it, too… and we ALL can heal. Find a vaccine for COVID-19, learn to love one another unconditionally, appreciate our uniqueness, live each day with a prayer and a song, and put the One God back into the center of our being!

June was a Bust!

Yup, June was quite the month… June was not “a love song sweetly sung” as this Rogers and Hammerstein suggested. It was a BUST from my perspective! But I tried to keep my attitude positive anyway. Upbeat music like this was one way to do it. Another way to stay positive in the midst of turmoil was to be sure to go up to my sanctuary every morning, spend time reading my Bible and devotionals, and listen for God’s voice to tell me how best to spend each day.

Focus on the Positive

If you have followed my blog for a while, you know I read and am inspired by a book with spirit-lifting devotionals, Daily Guideposts, every day. Each day the devotional starts out with a scripture. Then one of about 50 writers is assigned to write a reflection on it and then end with a prayer. I meditate on the message and write a “Take Away” on the page. It’s a thought I carry with me that day. I record them at the end of each month’s pages where there are two pages with a blank line for each day.

Here are my June pages. Read the Take Aways and see one of the sources for my ability to remain positive in the midst of this pandemic, this social unrest, protests, riots, and my anticipated surgery. These are the thoughts I carried around each day:

Be Grateful

Wherever you are, you have reasons to be grateful.
Just look around you. You can see!
Breathe deeply. You’re alive!
Soak in the beauty. You can feel!
Relax and sing. You have a voice!
Grab a snack. You have food!
Thank God.

The view from my hospital bed

Look Around You

I had the prettiest room in the hospital! A corner room with a view of the sunset last night and the sunrise this morning. No need to concentrate on the pain when I can concentrate on the view instead, right?

Bob came and got me at 10: this morning. I was grateful for my expedited release. There was a major storm predicted, and we had a one hour drive to get home. We were safely inside before the rain came down and the thunder clapped. And now, the sun is out again!

Look carefully at the horizon. Those are not more clouds.
That’s snow on the Tobacco Root Range. Yup, snow… July 1st!

So, as this day comes to a close, I want to thank you again for your love and prayers. I will take it easy for a while and let Bob and our friends and neighbors pamper me. I hope you feel my love being returned to you. Thank you for being my friend here on WordPress. You mean a lot to me.

Have a great rest of your week. If you’re in the USA, you know this weekend is our Independence Day. We usually have parades and barbecues and family here to celebrate with us. Not this year. This has been a different year, hasn’t it?

Keep your spirits up. Maybe you can use one of those “Take Aways” each day to help you.

Thanks for visiting.
See ya tomorrow.
Love, JanBeek

Category:

Faith, Family, God, Gratitude, happiness, health, Life's Challenges, Love, mental health, Montana, music, peace, relationships, Serving One Another

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COVID-19 Test


What are you up to on this Tuesday, the last day in June? What a month this has been, huh?

I had to have a COVID-19 test before I was authorized to have my surgery today.

It really was a test with a swab that tickled my sinuses. Results were negative.. so the surgery is a go.

A robot guided by my very capable doctor is going to repair a hernia that’s about the size of a golf ball – it’s right in the front of my mid-section. Surgery is at 12:45 PM. I have to be at the hospital by 11:00 AM.

I don’t expect any trouble. But, just in case there are unexpected glitches, I have my positive mind-set all primed.

And while I am paying special attention to #5 above, looking for some fun in the midst of all this, I am also focusing on #8 and all the ways I am grateful for the ability to get this fixed before it grows and gets worse.

Friends have come by in anticipation of our needs tomorrow when we get home. They have brought us with soup, biscuits, Brownies, muffins, and lots of love and prayers. Our pastor came by to pray with me… and family have texted and called. I feel wrapped in love! I have so much to be thankful for!

So, off we go… Headed for Bozeman…

I’ll see you tomorrow with a report on what’s up (or out).
Thanks for your love and prayers.
God is good. He’s got me covered!
Hugs, JanBeek

Category:

blessings, Faith, God, Love, mental health, prayer, relationships, Serving One Another, Sharing

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Why Me?


Stop asking “Why me?”
Ask, “What’s this goin’ to teach me?”
Then open your heart.

Your heart can reveal
Your purpose, goals, and vision –
Show you your next step.

You aren’t a victim,
You are creative and wise.
Focus on learning.

I am positive
That you are positive, too.
That’s why you are here.

That’s why you visit
JanBeek and love each other
And live happily.

You know happiness
Comes from an internal shift.
Not “Why me?” but “Yes!”

Yes, I’m a learner.
Yes, I invest energy
In finding new ways.

We must be willing
To replace being victims
With being VICTORS!

Are you willing to
Do something new and different
To learn something new?

Don’t wait for the new year to resolve to do something new!



What will you do??
Think about it.
See ya tomorrow.
JanBeek

Category:

Belief, Giving, Haiku, happiness, learning, life, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, Poetry, relationships, teaching

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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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Positive Mindsets


Today I read a wonderful post on this blog,

A Star on the Forehead, Blessed with a Star on the Forehead

Be a honeybee and not a fly

Today’s message included a You Tube video that caught my eye. It is worth watching. You can see her total post – and learn why this video spoke so loudly and meaningfully to her by clicking on the link above. And you can see the video posted below on this blog.

Learning from Bees & Flies

I was attracted to this video because (as many of you know) my husband is a retired beekeeper. Honeybees have been an important part of our livelihood – and Bob’s family’s income – for three generations. What can we learn about the importance of positive mindsets from honeybees and flies? Here’s the video:

The Choice is Ours

I think all of us would rather gather nectar and pollen to produce sweetness rather than choose to focus on the negative, gathering/spreading garbage and filth. The choice is ours!

Photo by Lukas on Pexels.com
Live with positive purpose –
Gather nectar while you may!
Sweet thoughts
Sweet actions,
Sweet focus,
Good for your soul!
Good for others, too.
Photo by Leonidas Takao Ishikawa on Pexels.com
Garbage in –
Garbage out!
Photo by Nixon Johnson on Pexels.com
Pest, nuisance, scavenger …
Not for me!!

Proverbs 24:13

“My son, eat honey, for it is good,
Yes, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste…”

KEEP A POSITIVE MINDSET!

BEE a honeybee, not a fly!

What will you do today to gather
the nectar of love
and spread it to your
friends and community today?

I send you lots of love…
Virtual hugs,
And Honey for your soul today.

Bee well!!
See ya later.

Category:

Bible Lessons, blessings, Faith, food, Giving, happiness, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, nature, relationships, truth

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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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Keep An Open Mind


Do You Know?

When Bob and I had the privilege of working with a young man from Pakistan who needed help learning to read and write English and eventually pass his GED (I think that stands for Graduation Equivalent Diploma), one of the hardest things to teach Zahid was three little words: “I don’t know.”

My adult children will tell you that their mom had the same problem. When they were little and would ask me a question, I was sure that a good mom always had an answer… and it was not supposed to be “I don’t know.”

It took them years to catch on to the fact that Mom was a good faker, and they should not swallow hook, line and sinker everything she told them!

Be Discerning

It was not so difficult for my grandchildren to discern my {{{BS}}} from the truth, however. See that middle kid up there, the one with the all-knowing smirk? He caught on right away to Grammy’s elaborate answers! Full of sarcasm and wonderful wit, he had the best comebacks – and taught me my come-uppance!

What? You’re wondering what took me so long? Did I really live to be a grandmother before I learned, “Intelligence isn’t knowing everything, it’s the ability to challenge everything you know?” Ask Nicky!

“Be discerning” means we have to question the validity of everything we see and hear! Even if it comes from what we THINK is a “reliable” source. Challenge it!! Especially in this COVID-19 climate that has become so politicized.

Be Positive, But…

It’s one thing to be positive, but it’s another thing to be gullible!

Yesterday I heard one of the news reporters telling us that there are people out there recommending that those tested positive with Coronavirus should take a healthy dose of bleach … Clorox … that it would kill the virus. Ya, well, it’ll kill YOU, too!

Yes, we want to believe that when all this is over (and of course that’ll be by April 1st when we can all go back to work, right?) … we want to believe that the “new normal” will be hunky dory. Games will sell out (NOT!). It may be 2022 before we are even allowed to congregate in stadiums again!

Restaurants will have a two-hour wait. Heck, that’s true of Food Bank lines in big cities already!

Every kid will be glad to be back in school. Of course, and I have a bridge to sell you!

Be Hopeful

While we are keeping an open mind, being discerning and positive, avoiding the hype and maintaining a level head in all this, it is essential that we keep HOPE alive.

Believe that good will come of all this when the dust settles. Be a part of the solution by staying at home if you can, and by wearing a mask when you go out into a public place. And most important of all, keep your faith alive!

God so loved the world – that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him – should not perish, but have everlasting life! Keep that faith alive. Indeed, God is in charge… and He loves you and me!

Spread Your Joy and Kindness

There may be those out there who will read the first part of that first meme on this blog, “Consider evidence that contradicts your beliefs and admit that you may be wrong…” and will challenge what you say. Just as wise-beyond-his-years-Nicky challenged my implausible answers to his questions, listen to their doubts.

Listen to the folks who have a different point of view. Respect their right to believe as they do. Examine the validity of what you think is true. And if you are convinced you’re right, go ahead and stick to your guns. But, do so with kindness and respect.

Maintain your joy… and spread your kindness in this puzzling, troubled world. Honey works better than vinegar every time!!

Don’t you agree?
See ya tomorrow.

Bee well!!

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, children, learning, life, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, peace, relationships, respect, teaching, truth

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What Keeps You Going?


What keeps you going?
When your own strength has left you?
I gain strength from God.

How do I know Him?
How can I be sure He’s real?
I soak in His Word.

I look for His signs
In little things around me,
And I pray a lot!

I know He hears me.
I ask that His Will be done.
I listen for Him.

In devotionals
I find great inspiration.
These lift my spirit.

I “Take-Away” thoughts
To carry me through each day.
They keep me going.

Let me share with you
The “Take-Aways” from each day
During this last month.

Daily Take-Aways, March 2020

  • He Makes All Things New
  • Move Forward in Prayer
  • Pray Fervently
  • Listen to Your Body!
  • Look Up and Live
  • Be Intent on Jesus
  • Remember Past; Live Present
  • Live Joyfully!
  • Problems? Pray for Solutions
  • Trust God’s Timing
  • Let His Power Show in Me
  • Believe – and SOAR!
  • Be “All In” for Him
  • Let the Lord Lead
  • Focus on What Matters Most
  • Keep Your Heart Tuned to God
  • Christ is Everywhere
  • Pray Inclusively
  • Thank God Daily for Health and Friendships
  • Add Daily Exercise to Your Routine
  • God is Ever With Us
  • STOP and Bow Down
  • Perceive and Understand
  • Turn to Jesus Daily
  • Thank God for Peaceful Places
  • Let Beauty Fill You
  • Know God Always is With You
  • Practice Contentment
  • God is Our Steadfast Hope
  • Use Words Wisely’ Always with Kindness
  • Find Sanctuary and Rest in Him

Gain Strength

You can’t carry these
Powerful and Peaceful thoughts
With you and lose strength.

They will sustain you;
They will keep you positive.
They’ll keep you going!

Let God be your strength;
Study His Word and absorb
His encouragement.

Use these “Take-Aways” –
They’re better than vitamins.
Just take One-a-Day!

Have a blessed Thursday.
Beeeee Healthy!
See ya later.





Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, blessings, contentment, Faith, God, Haiku, Jesus, learning, life, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Love, mental health, peace, Poetry

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When This Ends


You bet!
But in the meantime,

  • enjoy games at home
  • order take-out or learn to cook some fantastic stuff yourself!
  • make home-school an adventure for you and your kid(s); if your kids are grown, send ideas to friends, neighbors, grandkids about things they can do (like log into http://www.janbrett.com and listen to her read her newest book, COZY).
  • take time to appreciate the ones who are still at work – on the job – making it possible for us to have groceries, get gas, know our loved ones in hospitals and nursing homes are being cared for, and fill our prescriptions when we call them in. God Bless ’em!
  • don’t let the stock market numbers consume you or freak you out
  • stop hoarding toilet paper, and
  • look for virtual ways to be together while we’re apart.

My friend, Elaine Hundley, wrote this poem, “Together from a Distance.”
I posted it already on my blog a week or so ago. It’s time to post it again. Take her words to heart!

Together from a Distance
Elaine Hundley

“Shelter in place”, they say,
 “Socially distance yourself
From others, and
Save yourself
In these uncertain days.”

Accepting the mandates
Emanating from multiple sources
Muddles mind and soul,
Reducing faith to realms
Not resonating with reality.

So, feed the children,
Hold the children,
Cherish the children
As they carry
Fears of family insecurity.

 Show young adults affectionate attention,
Remembering to renew
The frail with hope,
Casting aside
Despair and defeat.

Connect with the community
As faces flood your consciousness,
Allowing fingers to fondle keys
of phone and keyboard
To share love, kindness and contentment.

Share smiles all around, sending self-confidence
On its way to unsuspecting faces, places, situations. 
Simply become beacons of tranquil assurance
 And you, too, may discover realms of restful renewal
In these uncertain days.

This pandemic will not last forever.
Make it a positive, meaningful time in your life.
With prayer and faith and compassion, it will be.
When it ends, if you have remained positive
and you have spread hope to those around you,
it will be “A Pretty Good Day”
INDEED!

Count on it!

Here’s a gift for you!

Have a good week!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
What’s on your agenda?


Category:

Belief, Faith, Family, friendship, health, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, peace, Poetry, relationships, Serving One Another

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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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