Wisdom from my grandma

One of the wisest people I have known was my grandma. She did not graduate from high school. Her wisdom came from her daily reading of God’s word and her acute application of common sense.

Grandma would say, “Wash your foot before you get in the dance.” This has nothing to do with dancing at a party, as you might have already surmised. This expression, is a reminder to think about an offer or opportunity very carefully before getting involved. Jumping to make a decision or rushing into a new venture is precisely what this wisdom saying cautions against.

“The foot” is a metaphor for walking the path of life. Washing one’s foot (or feet) implies preparation, care (or caution). The notion of cleansing is directed towards the hearer as encouragement to have a clear mind (that is, cleansing the mind) in order to think more clearly about an offer which has been presented to you. Just because it sounds good does not mean it is good for you.

You may be tempted to jump quickly (“dance”) into a situation today because things seem right. But perhaps caution may be in order “before you get in the dance” 🙂

This is the second installment on wisdom my grandma taught me. If you wish, you may read the earlier post here.

Weekend Inspiration

“If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly our whole life would change.” – Buddha

Photo by Dominik Scythe on Unsplash

“In Canada, anything that’s not in the city is referred to as a cottage. Or a log cabin” -Dolores O’Riordan

Photo by Sonja Guina on Unsplash

“If we seek solitary retreat, you will be more often refreshed.”
― Lailah Gifty Akita

Photo by Kristy Kravchenko on Unsplash

“I always give 100% at work: 13% Monday, 22% Tuesday, 26% Wednesday, 35% Thursday, 4% Friday.” -Anon

Yay for the weekend – enjoy ! 🙂 Shine brightly.

How does one know that one is in the right place at the right time?

“I prayed about it consistently – that God would direct me in the right path and that, when it would happen, I would know that I’m in the right place.” -Ayesha Curry

Ever had the feeling that you were in the right place, at the right time, doing what you were meant to be doing?

I was at work a short while ago and that feeling just came over me. I thought to myself, I must not miss this moment. I need to savor this sureness of feeling, this sense of knowing somewhere deep in my core (for lack of a way to explain what I mean to say) that I am where I am supposed to be, doing what I am supposed to be doing, at this very moment.

Who knows how many of these moments I have missed before, because of my penchant for “getting things done?” However, for some reason, God gave me a glimpse of that sense of knowing for a brief moment. And, I am grateful for his kindness to help me capture the intangible sureness of “being” and “doing” at the right moment.

May you notice special moments in your life today. Take a minute to savor them, if you can. Because believe it or not, you are, more often than you think, in the right place, at the right time, doing what you are meant to do. Perhaps that moment when time, place, space and circumstance coalesce brings with it a special blessing. Be blessed.

“People talk about perfect timing, but I think everything is perfect in its moment; you just want to capture that.” -Eddie Huang

Evening to Morning Inspiration

A few quotes to light your evening journey, or to start your day, wherever you are.

“Butterflies are nature’s angels.
They remind us what a gift it is to be alive.”
-Robyn Nola

“Do What You Can With All You Have, Wherever You Are.”
– Theodore Roosevelt

“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”- Joseph Campbell

Is there something you really want to do in your life?

Is there something you really want to do in your life? A goal that you want to reach? That book you want to read, write, complete? The trip to a far off land. The dream to work in a new way so you can have more time for the things you and your family love? Do what you have in your mind to do. Follow your purpose.

“The things that excite you are not random. They are connected to your purpose. Follow them.”― Terrie Davoll Hudson

You have stressed over it. Planned over the plan and you keep on planning the plan. Some days you wake up and you are certain it is the direction you wish to take. But, in the next moment doubt crawls in.

You want to make the “right” decision to go in this new direction. Somewhere there is a passion in you to do this thing, but your concern for stability in some form may be holding you back.

Perhaps the goal is so huge that it seems daunting. Take small steps, wade in the shallow end of the pool, take a small step in the direction of your purpose. The movement does not have to be a grand gesture. Slow does not mean failure.

Slow is okay when changing the course of a cruise ship – life changes are no different.

Whatever it is: write that next chapter, finish the book, self-publish, buy that house, move to a new neighborhood, go after that new job, work from home, switch from full time to part-time work so can you do more of what you love or be with those that matter most. Whatever it may be– give it a go. Start small and build.

Perhaps you have been waiting for or praying for “signs.” Who knows, the signs may have come but you may not have noticed or heard them. Think about events, this week or last week. What have you heard? What have you seen? What are the signs that are already in your path, directing you on which way to go?

For “whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21)

Can I pour you a cup of coffee?

Coffee, Coffee, Coffee. I like coffee. It is on my mind to write about the dark elixir of the Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora seeds.

Coffee machines are lovely and all. However, when I am desperate, I put the filter in the drip container, slap it on my mug, boil water, pour, and hope for the best – it tastes the same to me!

Apologies to the more refined sensibilities of the aficionados, and baristas out there who, are now cringing in incredulous dismay at such … sacrilege. Sorry about that! 🙂

And yes you see correctly, the lid “dangly thingy” part of my travel mug is held together by scotch tape! And, What of it! It works  just fine. After all, I can tell my mug from everyone else’s in the office. I’m not sensitive at all— its a fact. I can too have coffee in a less than perfect mug. I see no reason to buy a new one. Oh wait…maybe I am just a tiny bit sensitive about that mug. Or, I just need another cup of coffee 🙂

Things don’t have to be perfect to be enjoyed. Allow yourself the grace to be you, mistakes, imperfections and all. They are, all together wrapped up in the beautiful package, called you. You are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalms 139:14). Cheers.

Twittering Tales #154 – 17 September 2019

Photo by Tama66 at Pixabay.com

The sea chest

They endured the long voyage amid tumultuous waves.
An entire family’s treasure carefully packed and kept dry inside.
Now, re-purposed, a fitting footstool at the bottom of the stairs, for the now four generations that call this house home in
the land of the free.

__________

Word count: 274

In response to;

Twittering Tales #154 – 17 September 2019

A Prompt by Kat Myrman

#keepitalive

#TwitteringTales

 

Never underestimate the power of what little you have to give

Giving has many facets.

Giving and receiving is more than a nice gesture. It is a promise. A promise given by God in his word. Basically, if you give you will receive — abundantly. “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” ( Luke 6:38)

Giving can be a sacrifice. The story of the widow who gave sacrificially reminds us of this. Not to mention, that her act of self sacrifice is immortalized forever in the word of God. The story reads as follows:

“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty,” (Mark 12:41-44).

Giving can help others to begin or to continue emotional healing. Give what you have -your life experiences.

Photo CredIt: Pixabay

If you blog, Write something. Even if you just write “Hey!” in your blog post and add a cute picture of your pet and click the Publish button, You have the potential to move someone who may need just that one word from you to brighten their day.

Sometimes your words have power in how you say it. Other times they have power in what you say. Your writing can be greatly influenced, as you know, by your experiences and your pain and triumphs. Thus, your writing is unique. It is not meant for everybody. Your words are a gift meant to reach some in very unique ways. In a sense your words are a gift, to facilitate or to nourish – hope.

Never underestimate the power of what little you have to give. That small gift, the kind word, a small note of appreciation, the t-shirt that does not fit any more that you give to someone may be of far greater value to him or her than you can ever imagine.

Have a great giving Tuesday. “No one has ever become poor by giving.” ―Anne Frank

“Knock and the door will be opened to you”

Photo credit: Gardenista

I like doors. For as long as I can remember I like all types of doors. The little house I grew up in had the kind of door with two halves, one top and one bottom. It was our “air-conditioning system” in the tropics. If you needed more air flow through the home you would leave the top half open. The bottom would still be closed to retain privacy. Another “benefit” of the top half is, when opened you could look outside and chat with neighbors, greeting them as they strolled by, without leaving the comfort of home.

Doors have symbolic importance for sure. They reflect passage. In each moment of life we are different. We have the passage of time to thank for that. Not to mention how time can develop our character, our world view, our situation and so on from one moment to the next. Thus, as we pass through a door, even if it is the same door we travel through each day, we are moving from one moment of our present time into another moment of our present future.

Photo credit: Gardenista

Doors can be representative of opportunity. They can represent a new thing, a new way of looking at something, a new view point or an old perspective revisited.

As you pass through the doors of your daily routine: your home, your work, your office, the grocery story and more, take a moment to honor the “doors”, that you have come through, the situations you now see with a new perspective, because you have chosen to move forward.

Honor the new view of the world that you can now see as you pass from one room of your life to another.

You have been granted access to the door to your destiny. All you have to do is “knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)

Can you take some time for yourself ?

I have been a bit lax in the self care department. So I have to admit that this word of encouragement is for me as well. Sometimes we just float along with our very full and rich schedules and forget about taking time for the care that we need so that we can recharge our soul. Here are a few words to help you recharge this weekend and move into the new week, a-fresh and refreshed.

“Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.” -Etty Hillesum

“Self-care is whatever it means to you. It’s pressing pause on the voice in your head telling you to keep doing, keep going, and keep busy” –womenworking

“Our soul is like a soft and gentle flower, it needs to be nurtured, cared for, tended to, with sufficient sunlight, fresh air and freedom to bloom into its most precious and beautiful form. This, my friend, is self-love.”
– Miya Yamanouchi

“Self care is never a selfish act-it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer to others” -Parker Parmer

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