Light and Blooms

  PATHWAYS AND PONDERINGS I recently came across a quote by Henry David Thoreau on his thoughts on pathways. " As a single footstep will not make a path on earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind." As I pondered this thought, my mind was drawn to why do I like pathways?  They are familiar ways to go, they show that someone has gone before me, they are sure and certain to get you somewhere, the obstacles have been pushed aside and cleared a smooth pathway. I like mom and pop stores, where you know you will see familiar faces. I like stores that are not always changing where things are located. I like to have my name used with a note of recognition when I arrive for an appointment. I like to hear "its so good to see you again". I like the adventure of new things discovered, but I like returning to the familiar.  I like the sense of reading a new book, by a familiar author. I like trying a new dish, at a favorite restaurant.  I like welcoming new

                                                                      NEW YEAR                       NEW GOALS                                              NEW OPPORTUNITIES FROM SUNRISE   TO SUNSET     THIS YEAR...   CAREFUL LIVING   INTENTIONAL LIVING   FAITHFUL LIVING   JOYFUL LIVING   GENEROUS LIVING      

Contentment            "Desiring no more than what one has; satisfied     Being content does not mean settling, it does mean you are TRULY settled with what is in front of you.   Being content does not mean that you don't have dreams and hopes and desires for the future,   it does mean that you are LIVING in your present days and not wishing them away for the future.   Being content does not mean that you stop working, or learning or teaching,   it does mean that you are at peace in the circumstance you are in and are FREE to work, to learn and to teach without hindrances.                                Being content means that you are        〜 TRULY 〜  LIVING 〜  FREE 〜     I can honestly say that I live free from discontentment.   Would I like some things to be different? At times, yes. But I strive to take something from every circumstance I am in.   Do I wish away the moments of today, for the hours of tom

                             Contentment           "Desiring no more than what one has; satisfied"         When 2018 began, I noticed people were picking a "word" to concentrate on for the year. I hesitated, thinking it would just be like making resolutions that don't amount to much after the first few weeks. But eventually I warmed up to the idea and thought it was worth a try at least.                After some word pondering and reflection, I decided on my word                                 "CONTENTMENT"     Now more than halfway through the year, I am still holding on to that word and making it a part of my daily practice. I have been seeking out quotes, stories, illustrations and verses from the Bible that speak to this very important aspect of a healthy life.     It is more than a word, it is a part of being. I have found numerous things in daily life that could be looked at in a different light, but lookin

There are so many choices in life, but it you choose well, life can be a wonderful journey of twists and turns, highs and lows and sun and shade. Knowing that God has it all planned out makes it easier in the tough times because you don't have to figure it out, you just have to choose to trust and follow. These next two mugs remind me of that Truth and that is the core of choosing well. Trusting and following the One who knows the way. My tag line of "Bloom" reminds me that I have chosen to "bloom" where God has planted me. He provides the sun and shade, the right amount of water and the right amount of wind for me to thrive. I just have to wait to wear the "blooms".   This "Bloom" mug is huge. I have not used it to drink out of but it always sits in a prominent place reminding me of my commitment to trust and follow and wait for the "bloom". This other "blooming" mug has become my evening tea mug. It is a

Mugs can identify a stage of life, an accomplishment or a reason of celebration. These three mugs identify roles we hold in the family, whether it is all five of us or soon to be the two of us once again as our youngest daughter, the last of our children to be living with us gets married in just a few weeks and leaves us as the world claims, "empty nesters". We will not be empty nesters, because we are still here. Our nest is intact, healthy and vibrant. And full of memories. We began our life together as a family of two and will continue on as a family of two as our children live outside of the shelter of our roof. These Mr and Mrs mugs identify the roles we hold and the special way we think of each other. The inside rim of each of these mugs is inscribed with the verse "I found the one my heart loves" Song of Solomon 3:4 The "You are Special Today" mug is simply known in our family as the "special" mug. When one picks it for ano