Is life trying to kick you around? Do you feel the waves of change blowing? Are you irritable? Do you worry too much? Are the little things gaining ground on your grit? Yesterday was layer after layer of challenges. We all have them. But in my Red Sea moment, as the water seemed as if it was going to cave down, I stood still. The peace flooded. I took a deep breath-placed it in perspective-stopped.
Can we do ourselves a favor? Let’s raise the expectations for ourselves instead of others. Let’s just love them where they are; and where they aren’t. Find a way to let go of worry. And if you can’t, call me. Have I told you all how thankful I am for YOU?
It's a prison I don't wish to escape. It's a confinement of confidence. It's finding your voice without needing to use it. It's seeking HIS will-not probing for problems.
A Prison of Peace
It’s bravery with buoyancy. It’s being hitched to hope. It’s being fastened by faith. It’s being restrained by radiance.
I'm shackled with assurance,
there's beauty between the bars.
A cell of contentment
is a surrender to the scars.
If you feel you’re in prison, how do you find the key? It’s been with you for life. Unlock love and be FREE!
Have faith 💚
Photo credit-K.L. Hale (Wilson Creek’s Battlefield (MO), Lookout at Lowman Pass & Payette River, & Shoshone Falls Park (Idaho)🤍
The smell permeated the hallway closest to the office. Teachers had purple hands. Remember volunteering to retrieve copies in the office just to walk slow as a sloth while smelling the ink? Aw, good ol’ copies!
While attending college I worked at a child development center. There was a Xerox machine-very fancy! Teacher’s assistants were prohibited from its use. Luckily, Kinko’s was close to college for projects. After graduation I landed my first teaching job. To say I was nervous is an understatement…oh boy-ANOTHER learning curve!
I learned immediately who runs the school-the secretary! Attending my first equipment training was nerve-wracking. My palms were sweaty and my knees shook staring at the MONSTROUS machines. The smell knocked me right back to high school. “What year is it?,”I thought. This was my first official training on the job. Thankfully, other newbies were in the same boat. We bonded over fear. It was our initiation to the purple hands club! Nervously I was worried I would break the machines. And lose my job. There was a ditto machine AND a mimeograph. Carbon copy became two particularly important words. I can remember pressing SO hard to ensure it transferred. ALAS, I GOT TO CRANK THE HANDLE AND MAKE MAGIC! Getting the ink off my hand was not as much fun as I had thought. Did I hear the tenured teachers laughing? Paper was limited. Once you hit your limit on copies for the week copying time was over! The number of copies needed determined which machine to use (I remember a dinosaur duplicator). Within two years there was a Xerox copier. All masters had to be sent to the secretary. One learned fast the appropriate time to send a copy folder. Waiting until the last minute, unprepared, would give you a score in the loser’s column. Copies stressed me out. More than once I was sure our school had destroyed the entire rainforests of South America. Is it possible that all the copiers running in the world has contributed to Global Warming? Probably.
Using the chalkboard, other than writing straight, was easy. Inhaling chalk dust had been my norm since the days of eraser cleanings in elementary school. The dry erase board appeared and voila! …colored fingers again! An overhead projector was wheeled into each classroom. “Are we rich?” My own cart too?” Two computers and several floppy discs arrived soon after. “Windows 95” colorfully decorated the screens.
Pic courtesy–Pinterest
Remember my learning curves? They continue to twist. There are some I’ve conquered! Yippee! But a few are a tad bit crazy and winding. For a few years I felt I had the upper hand on technology. Or at least could stay in its lane…
here’s the breakdown of my curvy and winding past 1 1/2 year road:
Begin with prayer. Move forward with lifelong dream to write (scary enough). Build website. Start a blog. Pray. Publish writing on website (arrgh…. how do I even USE WordPress?). Maintain website. Pray. Read each day. Find your tribe. Pray. Get advice from tribe. Communicate with tribe. Pray. Decide to author a book. Bang head against a wall. Pray. Bang your head one more time for not praying longer. Determine what to write. Pray. Find a coach. Pray. Take more classes. Pray. Create a schedule. Set a budget. Pray. Use social media. Bang your head on something softer. Pray. Start an author’s Instagram account. Pray. Take marketing classes. Pray. Join LinkedIn. Pray. Twitter? Ug…Pray harder! Facebook? (Nope…can only focus on one or two). Begin your own L.L.C. or D.B.A. for self-publishing. Pray. Check daily emails and support your supporters. Get in nature. Pray. Get in nature again. Pray. Create writing idea. Find an illustrator. Learn new publishing software. Continue learning after mistakes. Learn marketing software. Flip a coin. I mean, pray.
Try not to just wave at family and friends only on your journey. Stop and get out regularly. Look up. Get off the screen. Use love, support, and care to manage the corners. Breathe. It is not life and death-although learning can feel that way.
The advancements are amazing (especially in keeping up with family)! I love learning! But everything has its limitations. And occasionally, I miss the simplicity in the smell of the purple copies and dusty chalk hands.
Spring stormed in and dumped buckets of watered wishes.
Summer is sneaking in ablaze. Sweat and tears can’t douse the flames.
The seasons change and so must I.
Hot, cold, dry, or wet
the forecast you will soon forget.
Move on and let go of all regret
for coming soon is the best yet.
The cold, rain, and heat rotate
My mind, soul, and heart acclimate.
People and feelings may mutate.
I won't let my spirit deflate.
A sudden shift might cause debate
instantly you can't articulate.
You feel as though you'll suffocate,
but don't let your faith fluctuate.
Leverage it all with love.
Don't get stunted or stale.
Change with the seasons.
Let wisdom prevail.
Let go of expectations; hang on to expectancy. Let go of bitter; grab what’s better. Let go of regret; cling to real. Let go of the hurt; hang on to hope. Let go of mistakes; stay motivated.
Communication has definitely changed. For those of you older and wiser I know you understand this well. I still remember students passing notes in class. I remember eye contact and well wishes. “How are you?” “Thank you!” “Good morning!” I remember conversations. Although I love talking memories, I want to talk about the meaningful of the now. If you wonder how someone is doing, ask he or she. If you’ve ever felt alone in a group (particularly if you’re the only female) you may feel you’re never understood. And men, likewise. And because we change (or we should) conversations will too. Seek those who grow your soul. Maybe all you’re doing is surviving. Maybe there’s something you’d like to do, yet you feel stunted with little support? I have friends here on WordPress (and not) who have lost children, their vision, their spouse, their jobs, and the list goes on. It seems they have found the secret to life-…service. They care. They ask. They seek. No judgement. No debate. Just simple kindness. If you really want to know…ask. I encourage you to pick up the phone and call a friend. Look for ways in your every day life that you can make a difference in someone else’s. If someone needs to talk, try listening without giving advice. Just a smile at someone at the store can make a difference. If we could pay more attention I believe we’d see less brokenness. I’m paying attention. If you love deep, you’ll hurt deep. If you care deep, you’ll grieve deep. And if you believe…you’ll believe in the better. Let the emotions rain down, don’t keep them inside. But if you are having trouble controlling them, seek help. And if you’re unable to rejoice, call me. Text me. Chances are I’ve experienced it. And even if I haven’t I will listen with love. Friends, don’t lose hope. This worlds seems to be chasing a lot to find happiness. If you’re living simple and satisfying hurray for you! I’m so happy for you! I have found it too. But not without heartache. And now my heart just simply wants to love and encourage others while my grit tries to grow. I know a Savior who is there 24/7. When all seems lost, there’s so much to gain. If you would like more information or just to talk, you can e-mail me. May your tears turn to joy. May your soul find happiness. May a smile light your heart. May you find faith.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
Have faith 💚
On another note-the last 5 weeks with family has been wonderful. Everyone is home safe. My book is coming along and I’m learning so much (marketing is the hardest part). I’m volunteering with a local chapter dedicated to assisting adult disabled community members (3/4 of them are former students). I feel a lot of wanderlust to want to pack up and travel. Do you feel it too? The time will come. I’ve grown through the changes. They’re not easy. But with faith, I’m moving forward. Keep the faith, friends. Thank you for your support!
