Frigid temperatures imitate the iciness of indifference. Consideration, camaraderie, and a cup of coffee poured with the love of Christ create combustible compassion.
Civil and cordial conversations confirm the collaboration.
K.L. Hale
Let’s light it, pour it, and spread it.
Featured photos by Charles and Kim Elrod, aka, “Canyon Crew”, my hiking tribe. Glory Hole Falls, Ozone, AR (Hiking area in Newton County, AR)
Embracing imperfection with faith, flannel, and fresh air
K.L. Hale
“Frigid temperatures imitate the iciness of indifference. Consideration, camaraderie, and a cup of coffee poured with the love of Christ create combustible compassion.” K.L. Hale
As I was reflecting on a beautiful weekend yesterday, my thoughts were filled with thankfulness. Andthen,…mediawasmobbedby a slap seen around the world. Meanwhile, a war still rages, families are struggling, and rage is not rare. I’ll keep first thingsfirst and position for peace. 💛
Through the eyes of a child
My Saturday began with a visitto our local Children’s Art Show (thank you Table Rock Art Guild). The children, and their parents, were walkingaroundwith such pride! I found the self-portraits particularly interesting and beautiful. You might notice the same things I did. They were authentic and true. Their eyes see everything. There’s nothing to hide in this http://www.world.com existence. But with it, they also “see” things that they might not otherwise. Kids…the perfect balance of faith and dreams.
Through the reflections of adults
The family table had its day. Thankfully, aunts, uncles, and us “young ones” (all cousins more than middle age now) gathered together. There are always missing chairs, but we manage to keep it crowded. Dad sat at the head of the table, a perfect place. We reflected on life, love, and loss. Hope and faith pulled up chairs. Laughter was a welcomed guest! Looking back…don’t linger, make it meaningful, and if you can, ruminate only on the radical recoveries!
One day my friends we won’t need faith and hope anymore. For if you believe, you’ll only be lavished in love.
The glare of the screen will never replace the light of sun. And viewing 1200-1800 pixels on a post will never replace the realness of real. The silence is deafening, and the air grows stale. It was practiced during my day-looking someone directly in the eye. Even nodding your head to confirm their thoughts. Maybe a tilt of the head to display interest. Even a smile to represent the humanness of the verbal exchange. There would be a pause and that meant that the speaker is graciously giving the opportunity for a listener to respond-simply ingenious. It seems now most heads are down. Rarely will you hear one voice speak at a time. But you’ll hear a click or a ding. It’s to notify. Sadly, someone died, happily one was born, someone went there, someone stayed home, someone ate this, someone wears this, and someone did this. Milestones in life celebrated on a screen. These technology talks should bring us closer, so they say. Celebrations of life last the length of your battery. I look up and around. And get out. It’s with nature I have the best dialogue. The two of us prefer face-to-face. Imagine a stare-down contest. Nature always wins. Sometimes I chit-chat with the leaves and squirrels. The trees nod to show they understand me. Clearly, they’re seen as they are and don’t hide from their reality. They only know to exist in truth. They happily accept the changes each season brings. The wind embraces me, and sometimes sings a melody, when it’s time to hug goodbye. “It was great to see you!” and “I’ll see you soon!” can be heard as I walk away. It was a true conversation.
For me, ‘tis better to stroll, than scroll.
Although I published this in May of last year, this is relevant to me today. Call me weird (really, I don’t mind), but I have no interest in celebrity news, the latest great show (although I love a good movie), diet tips and weight loss videos, and the constant barrage of the “me, me, me” in the media world (I’m so thankful for the baby animal, nature, and humor videos). It seems self-care and self-love trump soul care and love for others. Modesty is replaced with confidence from gained “self-love”. I love seeing the “likes” and meeting new friends, but my self-worth is not tied to the actions of others.
How much time do you spend on a screen? I had to be honest with myself. My learning in a variety of platforms can be overwhelming. Particularly because of the “me” emphasis. Self-marketing should be about finding a group of fellow friends and like-minded souls that will support you (your tribe), no matter what you write. I can’t keep up with all the media “tricks” for instant engagement. Real-time videos aren’t me. Why be something I’m not? If it gives YOU joy and peace–great! To each their own! Our differences, as well as similarities, make the world go ’round. As I seek my Creator, and make this place as much as heaven as I can until I get to the real one, I’ll continue taking care of myself, and keeping my eyes focused on what truly matters. I’ll respond “thank you” to a compliment or kind words, I’ll shake your hand when I meet you, I’ll respond if you call, I’ll look you in the eye if you speak, and if I become distracted from watching “Little House”, “The Walton’s”, “Andy Griffith”, or a good western, shame on me! 😁 Have I told you how much I appreciate all of you? ( I DO!) And do you REALLY know how much you’re loved? 🤍
Finley and I love Tim Janis’s channel! He, and the Nature Relaxation Channel, are wonderful to watch when you need a break for peace and calm.
This was written in November 2019 (pre-“C”) Flash forward 6 months and my thoughts are the same. For some the absence of face-to-face is satisfying. Others may crave it. Despite our differing views, one truth exists~we all communicate.
The glare of the screen will never replace the light of sun. And viewing 1200-1800 pixels on a post will never replace the realness of real. The silence is deafening and the air feels stale without words.
It was practiced during my day-looking someone directly in the eye. Even nodding your head to confirm their thoughts. Maybe a tilt of the head to display interest. Even a smile to represent the humanness of the verbal exchange. There would be a pause and that meant that the speaker is graciously giving the opportunity for a listener to respond-simply ingenious.
It seems now most heads are down. Rarely will you hear a voice. But you’ll hear a click or a ding. It’s to notify. Someone is living, someone died, someone is sharing a funny, someone is wondering what you’re doing. Milestones in life are celebrated on a screen. These technology talks should bring us closer, so they say. Yes, some celebrations of life last only the length of your battery.
I look up and around-and get out. It’s with nature I have the best dialogue. The two of us prefer face-to-face. Imagine a stare-down contest. Nature always wins. Sometimes I chit-chat with the leaves and squirrels. The trees nod to show they understand me. Clearly, they’re seen as they are and don’t hide from their reality. They only know to exist in truth. During parts of the year they’ll stand completely bare. There will be no beautiful cover. For they know glorious change is just around the corner.
The wind embraces me, and sometimes sings a melody, when it’s time to hug goodbye.
