The people around you.

Posted on by todayswisewords

This is the face that went to Walmart img_20161013_082344today. I was looking up and out at the world and already smiling. But you know what I got today when people (i.e. total strangers) happened to notice me smiling at them? Tons of Smiles. Help from someone taller than me. Good service (twice). 3 brief exchanges and 3 conversations. I had a great trip to the store.

But I PLANNED to have a great trip. And I purposefully smiled at others and looked for a chance to brighten their day. I don’t do it to be some saint either. I do it because what I get in return is joy and happiness and it makes me feel good. It’s actually selfish. 🙂

When I feel bad, I have learned that I should not look down and in, but up and out. Quickest way to feel better is to smile at others to brighten their day. They are so surprised that they smile back and brighten yours. 🙂

A smile is effortless. And it may be the only good thing that person gets that day. Be a force for joy and happiness in this world– we need it!

 

#chooseJoy #smile #lookupandout

 

 

I’m Learning.

Posted on by todayswisewords

The Big 4-0 is coming.

20 days.

Not that I’m counting, or anything. 🙂 I’m super excited, actually. 😀

There is something very freeing to me about turning 40, about hitting that milestone, about MAKING IT.

I am only beginning to learn who I am and what motivates me. I’m learning about being direct and not taking things personally at work. I am learning to ask for help. I’m learning that real emotions are good and healthy and it’s best to experience them and not hide. I’m learning that there are good people and a smile goes a long way in this world.

20 days y’all.

I’m gonna go make ’em count.

40th-birthday

There are places I remember…

Posted on by todayswisewords

“There are place I remember all my life, though some have changed. Some forever not for better. Some are gone and some remain. All those places have their meanings, with lovers and friends I still can recall. Some are dead and some are living. In my life, I loved them all.”

This song just hits that center core bitter sweet note inside of me.

In my head, I hear Bette Midler sing it. Hers is slower and more introspective and melancholy than the Beatles, which is a sweet and happy piece sometimes sung at weddings.

I like the melancholy, though. Somehow it speaks to me of overcoming. Enduring.

The remembrance is important.  If you remember then they are not really gone.in-my-life1

What will you do with Easter?

Posted on by todayswisewords

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Maybe you sang “He Lives” or “Up from the Grave he Arose”. Maybe you hunted for candy-filled plastic eggs. Maybe you debated “to Peep or not to Peep”. Maybe you went to a church for the first time in a long time. Maybe you scooted down and squished up on your pew to accommodate new faces. Maybe you tried to coax your toddler into a spring photo with a giant bunny.

Whether or not your you and your church follow the liturgy, the fact is a lot of folks celebrated Easter in some way this past weekend. A lot goes into the prep for this holiday. There are food and gifts and decorations to prepare, special services or activities at church to participate in and attend, and then there is our risen Savior.

Every year my prayer is to not get lost in the chocolate, sugar coated, crazy busy weekend rush that I forget to take time to reflect on what we celebrate. This year the words to “He Lives” just won’t leave me be:

I serve a risen Savior he’s in the world today. I know that He is living whatever men may say. I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer, and just the time I need Him he’s always near.  Rejoice, rejoice O Christian,  lift up your voice and sing eternal Hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the king. The hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find, none other is so loving, so good and kind.

Yes, my Savior is risen, and has been for almost 2000 years, but I know he is right here with me (He’s in the world today). I celebrate his death burial and resurrection each time I partake communion and each time I remember my covenant of baptism. That remembrance happens a lot, but it is extra special at Easter.

I see God moving in people’s lives (His hand of mercy and hope of all who seek and loving, good, and kind) and I know prayer delivers peace and encouragement (His voice of cheer and the help of all) and I believe in miracles, even if they don’t happen exactly as we imagine they will (just the time I need Him).

So, what will we do with Easter? What happens after the hunts are over and the last song is sung and family returns home after lunch?

Pinterest will tell you what do with leftover cake and candy and food.

But what do we do with the stranger sitting next to us on the pew today? What about that person who you only see once or twice a year at service? Or the friend on Facebook that only gets real religious on certain days?

How exactly do we serve our risen Savior?

I say, Follow His Example:

Be in the world with open eyes and open heart for the one who needs you to be the hands of mercy and voice of cheer in their life.

Be open to the Spirit moving aound you and bring hope and help and love and kindness to those who need it.

Live Easter every day. 🙂

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You gotta be creative in this life

Posted on by todayswisewords

I’m a gamer, have been since the original Nintendo.  Right now my game is Minecraft. I create and play and share (I’m on a server with some friends) and I absolutely adore it.

The following pics are from my Tree House compound. Note, this is all done in survival mode. The jungle tree beside the birch and glass structure is naturally grown and very tall.

Inside I have all kinds of fun rooms, especially like my living room. Outside, I have a protective wall, pools, gardens, a game room and barbecue down at the beach, oh and a pirate ship.

I love to make houses andfind creative ways to build furniture. Hopefully I will get pics of my recent addition to this set of structures, my hobbit guest house. You can see the south window in ok ne of the long shots of the tree house.

😉