Giving Thanks

Borrowing some words from President Lincoln (one of my heroes) today:

 "The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that w...e are prone to forget the source from which they come... They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God... It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed."

Every good thing--whether it's a child, a spouse, a job, a talent, a beautiful sunrise, etc.--comes directly from the hand of  God.  And so, I love, praise and thank you, Father Most Holy, for everything and everyone in my life and especially for the gifts of your infinite Love and Mercy, and your most beloved Son.

Dear reader, may He bless you and your family abundantly today and always!  Thank you for reading,

Jettisoning

everything that keeps me from the business of writing...or trying to.  What are you trying to jettison today, dear reader?  Whatever it is, I'm with you.

Perseverance

Or, The "Should I Continue?" Crisis Comes to Us All. (Info from a writers' conference, plus my thoughts) 

Whatever our vocation, there always comes a time when we think about quitting.  But, if you're an artist--whether you create with words, paint, clay, whatever--these times may be more frequent than for those in other professions.  Any frustration can trigger this question, but it almost always rears its ugly head when you just don't seem to be having any success, especially any monetary success.  So, let's explore perseverance a little. 

One thing that you need in order to persevere is life experience. Mine your life for material; trace the hand of God thru your life; journal about the things that make you "crazy" (whether it's crazy happy, sad, or angry); find your purpose in terms of your art. Live your life; take risks so that you have something to create "from". Be authentic and vulnerable, and outward-focused: in particular, if you're writing, whether it's fiction or non-fiction, write to help someone else; you're giving a voice to someone so that he/she doesn't feel alone; serve your reader/audience... 

We're persevering together, my friends.  May God bless you, your loved ones and your work today.

Darkness

I don't know about you, but the toughest mornings for me are those of late September through October, before we change the clocks again.  Monday through Friday, I get up at 5 a.m., but the sun rises later and later.  I'm busy during that time, maybe even with writing, and yet, those two plus hours of darkness wear on me.  Of course, when the light does come, at long last, it's so beautiful!  I often stop in my tracks to gaze at the sky, the glowing rim of horizon, the yellow, orange and fuchsia streaking the clouds, which greet the sun.

Perhaps that's part of the purpose of darkness in our lives, too--to help us appreciate the light.  I pray, dear reader, that you will experience a ray of light today and that the light will be filled with God's love.

Angels

Today is traditionally the day to honor guardian angels.  Maybe you don't believe in them, but I do.  I had an experience almost two decades ago that made me believe.  I didn't see anything, but I sure felt something.  I didn't hear anything with my ears, but I sure did within my mind.  It was powerful, but much too personal to share in a blog.

Regardless, I want to thank my guardian angel for that day, every day before, every day since, and every day that will be.  Angel, you are awesome!  And now, a challenge for you, dear friend/reader...one that I will share with you, as always...During this week, find a way to be an angel for someone else.  No need to try doing something big or complicated.  Your smile might lift someone's heart.  The way that you listen with an open mind and an open heart may touch someone.  Let's try it, together.

May your angels bless and keep you today and every day.

Growth

Whether we realize it or not, everything in our lives contributes to who we are and who we will become.  Some things may seem insignificant, like posting a blog entry.  Really, it's a little step in our formation.  God is working on you, training you for something.  He's giving you the grace to handle the challenge of this particular moment.  As you handle/face this task or challenge, you're developing the faith and the virtues you'll need to handle the next one.   Several years ago I heard that 75% of any task is good preparation.  Let's be grateful for how God is preparing us today, so that we can live more fully tomorrow.  I'm going ahead with you, dear reader/friend.

Referred Joy?

I'm sure that you've heard of referred pain.  Maybe you've even experienced it.  I did a few weeks ago when--out of the blue--my neck suddenly hurt, and a lot.  For a while, my slightest movement sent pain shooting through it.  The usual remedies--ibuprofen, ice, heat, rest--helped some, but not enough.  When I finally visited the doctor, he said that I actually hurt a muscle in my shoulder, my trapezius (I knew I shouldn't have swung from that trapezius).  That strained muscle was sending pain and stiffness into my neck:  referred pain.

An idea grew out of my experience.  We often share suffering, the physical or emotional trials that we have in life, and our friends and family often suffer with us.  (Compassion has its roots in words that mean "to suffer with.")  This is a sort of referred pain, too.  When we share our joys, they celebrate with us.  This could be called "referred joy."

But, there's something more.  I think that we also need to share something beautiful or inspirational with others in any way that we can, but especially through social media.  There's so much ugliness, so many negative messages--and some are lies or hoaxes meant to instill fear--that we need to share Beauty and Truth.  It will have a ripple effect.

My friend, dear reader, let's do this together today.  Let's share not only what is good or joyful in our own lives, but let's share Good in all its forms:  Love, Beauty, Truth, Kindness.  It could be something as simple as a smile that lifts someone's heart and mind, and brings them a bit of referred joy.  :)