From my journal: It's OK!

An entry from my journal dated 6/1/11...

Looking at past entries in this book I'm amazed that the subject doesn't change much--either that or I don't learn much! Last week was Oprah's final show. She talked about a guest who challenged her to BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ENERGY YOU BRING TO YOUR DAY AND TO OTHERS.

Energy--Spirit--Words--Deeds     Each leads to the next. I think this is so important. I've been working on it for a few days with very positive results.

In times past I guess that I thought that my attitude was a product of events in my life and that I had to struggle to overcome negativity. Now I see that the events in my life are effected by the attitude I bring to them and apply to them.

Oh Lord Jesus; only You can give me strength to have an excellent spirit!

I feel content tonight; more so than in the past. Content with my work, my marriage, family, home; but mostly...content with myself. Comfortable in my own skin. Finding my way and even enjoying the view along the way. It's OK to be happy. It's OK to be me..imperfect, beautiful me. Flawed but WABI SABI! I am the object of Jesus' passion...sin purged and reconciled to Him.

It's OK

It's OK to be happy

while your working on your stuff.

To be a little silly,

have a little fun.

Throw off your shoes and dance.

Wave at airplanes.

Pet dogs.

Read novels.

Laugh out loud.

It's OK to miss it

once in awhile,

just get back up and dust yourself off;

Walk on. It's OK.

Hold your head high

you imperfect one--

you are glorious

because

He says you are.

Don't ever forget that.

It's OK to cry

when you feel sad.

It's OK and it's gonna be OK

He promises you that.

It's OK to pray

for anything and everything

and everyone...

for broken hearts and broken nails,

for water bills and spotted leopards,

He cares about it all--

He hears it all,

He'll sort it all out.

Don't worry--It's OK.

It's OKAY.

I had this day;

a perfect day,

when everything was

A-Okay!

***

Happy Trails, Isabella!

Our grand-daughter Isabella is wild about horses. It must be genetic...I was a horse-crazy little girl too! A horse's musky smell, their velvet muzzles, the soft neigh--it's just intoxicating! I was almost giddy with excitement to watch Isabella's reaction to her parent's wonderful birthday gift...an afternoon at a stable with a riding lesson. Isn't it fantastic to see a child so happy--so over-the-moon? She was just basking in her special day. 

Happy Trails, Lala! May every one of your dreams come true!

Hoofing it up the mountain; Valderie, valdera...

While on our camping trip in the North Cascades, we took a trail up into the hills called Thunder Knob. I can walk for miles on level ground, but inclines are tough for me. So even though the internet data on Thunderknob calls it an easy walk, I beg to differ. And how they can say that it is wheelchair accessible is beyond my comprehension! I mean really, before you start to climb you have to forge two running creeks on logs and walk up a rocky dry creekbed! Wheelchair accessible? Really? Well anyhoo, we did the walk hike and even though I was huffing and puffing and sweating profusely, getting to the top was worth it. It's about 4 miles round trip, with an elevation gain of 635 feet. The elevation at the top is about 1875 feet.

 Pretty scenery. I have to boast here that I've worked at it and pretty much overcome a fear of heights. I won't stand on ledges or anything, but 5 years ago, I never would have gone up this hill. If you're afraid of heights and wondering how I did it; here's my process.
1. I stopped labeling myself as afraid of heights. If you insist on wearing a label; you shall have it.
2. I prayed about it.
3. I bought some good boots that have good traction. They make me feel steadier on my feet.
4. I went where I was afraid to go; resisting that erroneous voice that says, "You're scared. You're gonna fall. Go back!" It's a lie. Just thoughts, nothing more.

 Hmmm, these two don't look that tired...

 I sat on this log for some time when we reached the top. We'd been hiking in the midday sun, about 80 degrees, but here at the top it was much cooler and a stiff, pine scented wind was blowing.

 A nice view of Diablo Lake, the reservoir behind Diablo Dam. FYI, most of our electrical power flows from the 3 dams up here.

Here I am, all red-faced and perspiring; but I made it! Tip, wear a bandanna when you hike...it's great to mop up the sweat. Then when you get to water, you can soak it up and drip it all over your face and neck. Once I got to the top and sat down, I gave some serious thanks to God and to my body for getting me there. I told my body that I would take much better care of it, so that on future outings, things would go easier on it. I must get into better shape if I'm going to do the Camino de Santiago in 5 years! So girls; this will serve as my 'before' picture. I've been eating well, walking, biking, lifting light weights and doing yoga since that day. Keeping my vow to me!

This childhood song kept running through my head as we walked  (I was too winded to actually sing it);

I love to go a-wandering,

Along the mountain track,
And as I go, I love to sing,
My knapsack on my back.

Chorus:

Val-deri,Val-dera,
Val-deri,
Val-dera-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha
Val-deri,Val-dera.
My knapsack on my back.

I love to wander by the stream
That dances in the sun,
So joyously it calls to me,
"Come! Join my happy song!"

I wave my hat to all I meet,
And they wave back to me,
And blackbirds call so loud and sweet
From ev'ry green wood tree.

High overhead, the skylarks wing,
They never rest at home
But just like me, they love to sing,
As o'er the world we roam.

Oh, may I go a-wandering
Until the day I die!
Oh, may I always laugh and sing,
Beneath God's clear blue sky!

From my journal: Be lavish with others

I've been reading out of some of my old hand-written journals. Most of them are about spiritual truths I've learned. Funny how I've almost forgotten some of the most striking thoughts that I've ever had! I thought I might share them with you from time to time...

From my journal dated 8/19/07...

A thought--Be as lavish, generous, and over the top with kindness to others as you want God to be with you.

Think of the story of Haman and Mordecai in the Book of Esther. Proud and evil Haman advised the king that he should lavish honor on the man that pleased him [the king]; and give him a fine horse, a crown, and the king's own attire. Haman fully expected that this honor would be conferred upon himself. To his astonishment; Mordecai, his enemy, was given all of the lavish treatment that he wanted for himself.  Later, when Haman built gallows upon which to hang Mordecai; he himself was hung on those very gallows.

Essentially, what Haman wanted for himself was given to others, and what he wanted for others was given to him.

We must be careful not to build gallows for others lest we be hung on them. Instead, we must look for ways to honor others.

Jesus taught this over and over--the Golden Rule is one example. He told us to bless them that curse you and do good to those who despitefully use you.

Every day I must think..."How can I honor someone else?"


Today's Post Script: Hmmm, I need to remember this. It's so easy, especially when gossiping to 'build gallows' for somebody else. I need to practice wishing good upon others, even if I don't particularly like them. Please help me with this, Father.