Gracie is Tenacity Defined. We all need such role models!
Check her out:
Look and see what an amazing person Gracie is.
I met her her in Ennis, Montana. She and Peter live in our Madison Valley.
And look for her husband, Peter, while you are checking out Gracie.
He is an amazing person, too.
Regardless of our hardships, we CAN survive and thrive.
It takes tenacity – a bucketful of it – like Gracie’s.
And someone’s hand to hold!
Hold on!
Have a good night.
See you tomorrow.
When I posted this, it was supposed to be a tribute to a fellow blogger who shared Maya Angelou’s poem, “Continue.” But, when my post aired, the poem was missing. I have since tried to find it, but to no avail… until now.
I wrote, “I love this Maya Angelou poem. I had not seen it before. Have you?” And then, there was no poem for you to see!!
One thing I did find during my search was this quote by Maya Angelou, “My wish for you is that you continue. Continue to be who and how you are, to astonish a mean world with your acts of kindness. Continue to allow humor to lighten the burden of your tender heart.”
This is our month on JanBeek of gratitude and kindness… and Maya’s heart and talent surely expand the love this blog is meant to share with you.
I continued my search for her poem titled, Continue, and finally found it!! It was on Phil Ebersole’s blog with a sub-title of, “Thoughts about politics and the passing scene”
Maya Angelou
My wish for you
Is that you continue
Continue
To be who and how you are
To astonish a mean world
With your acts of kindness
Continue
To allow humor to lighten the burden
Of your tender heart
Continue
In a society dark with cruelty
To let the people hear the grandeur
Of God in the peals of your laughter
Continue
To let your eloquence
Elevate the people to heights
They had only imagined
Continue
To remind the people that
Each is as good as the other
And the no one is beneath
Nor above you
Continue
To remember your own young years
And look with favor upon the lost
And the least and the lonely
Continue
To put the mantel of your protection
Around the bodies of
The young and defenseless
Continue
To take the hand of the despised
And diseased and walk proudly with them
In the high street
Some might see you and
Be encouraged to do likewise
Continue
To plant a public kiss of concern
On the cheek of the sick
And the aged and infirm
And count that as a
Natural action to be expected
Continue
To let gratitude be the pillow
Upon which you kneel to
Say your nightly prayer
And let faith be the bridge
You build to overcome evil
And welcome good
Continue
To ignore no vision
Which comes to enlarge your range
And increase your spirit
Continue
To dare to love deeply
And risk everything
For the good thing
Continue
To float
Happily in the sea of infinite substance
Which set aside riches for you
Before you had a name
Continue
And by doing so
You and your work
Will be able to continue
Eternally
Thank you, Phil Ebersole, for sharing Maya’s poem. I’m glad I located it again so I could share it here.
And thank you, Maya Angelou, for your life and shared wisdom. I hope St. Peter introduces us when I get to Heaven.
I wish I had known Maya personally, don’t you?
My blog, “Loving One Another” is all about how to love, encourage, and inspire one another. Cristian Mihai of “The Art of Blogging” says we need to be able to express in 6 words or less why we blog and what we blog about.
I answered his query saying,
“I spread love and inspiration daily.”
That’s six words.
I augmented my answer by adding,
“I plan to inspire, inform, entertain, and encourage.”
If we want to shine, to inspire and encourage others, to be unconditional, effective lovers, are there some tips we need to keep in mind?
Yes, I believe there are habits that lovers of people, lovers of animals, lovers of nature and of God, need to develop. I think they include these SEVEN HABITS OF EFFECTIVE LOVERS:
1. Listening with Intent
Effective lovers perk up their ears and really hear the voices, the sounds, the cries and laughter, the heart of everything around them.
2. Seeing non-judgmentally
Effective lovers look for the best in others. They see what they’re looking for. They see the person, animal or object as the Creator intended them/it to be. They imagine perfection, wholeness, beauty. They bring out the love that’s embedded in what they see.
3. Feeling with Compassion & Empathy
Effective lovers feel what others are feeling. They are compassionate and empathetic … not sympathetic. They don’t look at someone or something and say, “Oh, I feel so sorry for you/it.” They try to put themselves in the others’ shoes. They look for solutions. They offer real help. They fertilize the dying bush or bring the parched animal a drink.
4. Reaching Out
Effective lovers extend a helping hand without being asked. Their “feelers” are out looking for ways to help. They have a servant’s heart.
5. Taking Time
A habit effective lovers develop is the act of taking time for others. Whether it is visiting a friend who’s sick, caring for a pet while its owner is away, watering a garden, going to a nursing home, building a birdhouse or helping to complete a project, the effective lover is ever ready.
6. Praying
Knowing your own power is limited, knowing we’re all imperfect mortals who need divine guidance, effective lovers pray for others, pray for world peace, pray for endangered species and help in times of disasters and seemingly insurmountable struggles. Effective lovers reach for help beyond themselves.
We know our own limitations, and we know our own weaknesses. We know we do not always exhibit the kindness, patience and gentleness that effective lovers need. So, we ask for divine guidance and help from the One who strengthens us.
7. Tenacity
Effective lovers have staying power. They are tenacious. They are in it for the long haul. They are not quick to let go. Instead, they continue to love through thick and thin.
Like this beautiful spider web that is covered with snow, but hanging on for dear life as the wind howls outside my sanctuary, this web has a job to do. It will capture any insects that survive the storm … it will provide food for the spider that created it. It hangs on and fulfills its given purpose.
Being an Effective Lover involves listening, seeing, feeling, reaching, taking time, praying, and being tenacious… and it’s worth all that effort because you know:
“What you bring into the lives of others comes back into your own.”
Do you agree with these 7 habits or qualities
for “Effective Lovers”?
Do you have others you might add?
Tell me!
God Bless You!
When you think of “love” – it usually is love between persons, right?
But at our Madison Valley Woman’s Club meeting yesterday,
LOVE was expressed as it relates to nature and the love of climbing.
Our guest speaker was Wendy Gustin.
Wendy doesn’t like climbing.
She doesn’t like it a little bit.
She LOVES it!!
Wendy told us about her adventures in 2017
when she hired a guide and a sherpa
and took off to climb Mt. Everest.
It is the Earth’s highest mountain above sea level,
located in the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of the Himalayas.
Nepal and China run across its summit point.
Wendy reached the summit.
She is one of the 450+ woman in recorded history ever to do so.
The summit is 29,029 feet!!
I had the privilege of sitting this close to the slide show.
After seeing a few slides in the presentation, I grabbed my cell phone.
I knew this was going to be a treat – and I wanted to share it with you.
I didn’t take notes in order to give you exact words,
but the pictures speak for themselves.
Just look!!
Strap on your 20 lbs of boots, and let’s go!
The tiny airport where she landed
is one of the most dangerous in the world.
(Sorry I don’t remember its name)
Miss the landing and you end up in the mountain
sooner than you anticipated!
The steps were steep, but much more doable than
the glacier-covered, steep mountainsides.
Doesn’t look THAT steep, you say?
Guess again!
Those tiny orange and yellow specks
at the bottom of the glacier are the tents
at Base Camp.
Climbers had to connect to a single rope
that guided their path – and required teamwork.
No way you’d catch me climbing that ladder!
(My kitchen stool –
and the circular staircase
to my sanctuary each morning…
that’s my idea of climbing!)
Hats off to the brave souls
who love this kind of climbing!
They had to navigate these kinds of ice flows.
Wendy said to look carefully –
can you find some climbers up there??
Here is Camp 3.
From this 20,000 ft. level, they climbed
up to 25,000 ft. and back down to this camp
several different days to get acclimated
for the final climb to the summit.
The wind at this level was brutal at times.
We saw a video of the tents being blown away
(if they did not have climbers in them to hold them down).
This is the sherpas inside Wendy’s tent.
They greeted her each morning,
“Good Day, DeDe!”
as they gave her the hot tea
they had prepared for her.
(“DeDe is a term of affection and greeting
used by the Nepalese).
They also made her breakfast.
Wendy said she got pretty spoiled!
This is the sherpas’ tent.
Many of them stay the whole season
up there at the 25,000 foot level!!
Some are born at the 17,000 foot level
and are acclimated from birth to these elevations.
It is hard to imagine the exhilaration
of reaching Mt. Everest’s summit!
Have you ever had a hankering
to do something like this?
I have the utmost respect for Wendy,
her team, her courage,
her determination and tenacity,
her success!!
Imagine the fitness routine,
and savings plan, for 5 to 10 years
to get ready –
strong enough –
and have sufficient funds –
to do this.
Hard to imagine, isn’t it?
Congratulations, Wendy!
Thank you for sharing your passion
and the beautiful slides with us.
My pictures of them often reflect light-
and do not do them justice,
but you, my friends, got the idea, right?
Do you LOVE climbing?
I must say, it’s not one of my passions,
but I certainly enjoyed doing it vicariously!
What is YOUR passion
that you’d train and save money
for a decade to be able to do?
Tell me about it. What do you love THAT much?
See ya tomorrow.
Have a Fabulous Friday night.
This post is dedicated to my #1 Grandson.
He recently graduated from college,
received his well-earned diploma,
and has a couple of part-time jobs,
equaling 100% employment.
It was not an easy road,
but he has tenacity…
He stuck with it.
He did it!
I am so proud of him!
Happiness is living life true
In a way that allows you
To be all God made you to be
And doing it on a path of integrity.
No one says it will be easy.
Sometimes it’s light and breezy,
But mostly it’s just hard work
And determination not to shirk.
So, run the race of life with grit.
Set your goal and stick to it.
When times are tough, keep going –
You crossed the finish line knowing
Congratulations, Mike!
Did you, or do you have a person in your life who used their grit and tenacity to achieve a goal in spite of all odds? This post is for you!
And if you are in the midst of a struggle – wondering if the blood, sweat, tears, and heartache, setbacks and discouragements are worth it. Believe in your goals. Believe in yourself. Stick with it.
You have the power!
Have a good night.
It’s my bedtime.
See you tomorrow!
There is a name for 5-7 5-7 5-7 5-7 5-7-7 poetry. I just saw it on a blogger’s post And now I can’t find it. But I said I would try it. So, here goes:
TENACITY
In the heat of day,
A day under August’s sun,
Stood fields of flowers –
Springtime flowers so alive –
Spreading colored joy.
It’s highly unusual
To see such a sight.
Generally summer’s sun
Scorches them early.
But this year they testify:
God shows us
TENACITY!
What’s the name of that poetic form? Try it… it’s fun!
See ya later!
Photo by Scott Webb on Pexels.com
Tenacity is
Hanging on, not letting go.
It’s available.
Tenacity is
Essential for your success.
You can’t go buy it.
Tenacity is
Making it through the tough times.
How do you do it?
Try this:
My List
I made it through:
I could go on…. but you get the idea. What would your list look like?
Your List
Do you need to remind yourself that you’re tough? You’re a winner. You’re not a quitter. You’ve got broad shoulders and strong arms and can give great hugs. You believe in yourself. You’ve survived some rough times. Tenacity can be your middle name. Try it. What’s on your list?
Show me your
“made it through”
list!
When you’re defeated
Feeling life’s lost its purpose
Take root and hang on
God Bless You!
See ya tomorrow.
Want to know the secret to multiple successes?
S ee Your Goal
U nderstand Obstacles
C reate a Positive Mental Picture
C lear Your Mind of Self Doubt
E mbrace the Challenge
S tay on Track
S avor the Task and Pray for Wisdom
E njoy the Conclusion
S tart Again!
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Now you have it!
Go get it!
Tidiness of The Half-Hour Sitcom
Photo by Inzmam Khan on Pexels.com
The Half-Hour Sitcom
When I was introduced to the half-hour sitcom, I didn’t realize how much it would affect my view of problem-solving. I didn’t realize how much it would affect the world’s view of how to deal with trouble. There was a tidiness about those sitcoms. Usually they started out bright and cheery. Then a problem was introduced. The characters struggled with it. By the end of the half-hour, the issue was resolved and the world was rosy again.
Real Life
In real life, we came to expect those instant solutions. We stopped understanding the need to live through the hurts, the frustrations, the anger for more than a half an hour. More than a day. More than a month. Divorce rates sky-rocketed and continue to do so … except that today’s generation, having watched their parents’ marriages dissolve, is afraid of commitment. They just live together. To heck with marriage!
The Farce and the Force
The tidiness of the half-hour sitcoms was a farce. It did us no favor. Problems come. That’s a given. But they don’t go away in the blink of a TV show. They don’t go away with a magic wand. Or a twitch of “Bewitched” nose. They can not be solved without time, effort, patience, guidance, wisdom, and often forgiveness. They are better resolved with prayer. We need a Higher Force! Let the Holy Spirit in. Ask for help.
Rewards of Joy and Peace
Problem solving is not quick and tidy. It is a messy, time-consuming business! Don’t let the half-hour sitcom mentality deprive you of the joy and peace that comes from tenacity, persistence, forgiveness and the rewards of hangin’ in there!
Hugs to You !!
Inspire to Love
Let the SonShine!
You inspire me to respond
Learning to Live; Living to Learn; Learning to Love; Living in Love
