Hello again,
I have to admit I am beginning to struggle with coming up with new blessings to be thankful for. I know there are so many I have yet to mention but I can't always think of them, I don't always see them or I feel that they don't fit with that particular day. Then there are some that I know I should be thankful for but I struggle with feeling blessed by them. I have a list I am always adding to so I can look at it for inspiration and I have added blessings that I sometimes feel I don't posess but added them anyways, like strength. I add them hoping that someday I will feel I can be truly thankful for them. I must have about 50 that I look at and they don't fit with the day but I am still thankful for them. Things like walking on the beach and I hope that at some point this summer I will be able to visit a beach so I am holding off on that one. :) Sometimes I start writing the post not even sure what I will write about and it comes to me as I go. I mentioned that I feel I am having a hard time being thankful for strength because I feel I don't posess it. It may seem odd because the title of this post is strength. So now I would like to explain why I am thankful for strength.
Today I chose to write about the blessing of strength. This isn't easy because all too often I am reminded through out the day how I lack the physical strength others have and what I used to have. But as I thought about it, I realized I may not have the physical strength I wish to have but I have strength I didn't have a year ago or 3yrs ago. So I do have some obviously. It's funny that with strength I often look at what I don't have and still need to get back but neglect to see what I have gained. When I begin to look at where I started after my first surgery and where I am now, I can see I have a considerable amount of strength I didn't have then. I look at how I could not lift a full glass of water and I had to gain strength to be able to walk again. I remember how much effort and determination it took just to turn over and push myself out of bed. Something I have started to take for granted again. Yes I can't lift as much or sit up as I used to before the surgeries, or walk as far as I used to before the surgeries but I can do so much more than I could just after the surgeries. I know that I have strength that other people don't have and I need to be thankful for it. There is always someone worse off right? So I am thankful for the strength I do have as well as the strength I have yet to gain back. :) I feel I should apologize for the length of this post. I try to keep them short but sometimes they get kind of long. Sorry about that. Anyways this is why I am thankful for strength.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Sunday, July 3, 2011
A poem that I love
Hello again,
I know this is a blog for things I am thankful for but I want to share a poem that I would like to dedicate to loved ones who have passed on and to those of us still here. So essentially this poem is for everyone. But I am sharing this poem today because of the loss of a friend. We all have loved ones who we have lost and I suppose this is more for us than them because we can still change how we spend our "dash". But this poem causes me to reflect on the lives of loved ones I have lost and see all the good in them. I first heard this poem at my cousin's funeral years ago. I love the poem and I am thankful for this poem as well. So I suppose this is something I am thankful for so it fits on the blog. lol
The '-' Dash
Words by Linda Ellis
I read of a Reverend who stood to speak,
At the funeral of his friend,
He referred to the dates on (his) tombstone
From the beginning ... to the end.
He noted that first came the date of (his) birth
And spoke of the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
That (he) spent alive on earth
and now only those who loved (him)
know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own;
The cars, the house, the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend out the dash.
So think about this long and hard;
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
(You could be at "dash mid-range").
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what's true and real,
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more,
And love the people in our lives
Like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect
And more often wear a smile,
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.
So when your Eulogy is being read
With your life's actions to rehash ...
Would you be pleased with the things they say
About how you spent your dash?
I would like to say that I think my friend who passed away spent her dash very well even if it was a dash that was way too short. She touched so many lives-even those who she never physically met and made lives better as a result. She was very caring and funny and sweet. She will live on in the hearts of many who's lives have been made better because of knowing her.
I try to keep this poem close by to remind myself about my "dash" and how I am spending it. I don't know that I always do the best job but I try. Thanks for reading this post of mine and I hope you enjoy the poem and it touches you like it did to me.
I know this is a blog for things I am thankful for but I want to share a poem that I would like to dedicate to loved ones who have passed on and to those of us still here. So essentially this poem is for everyone. But I am sharing this poem today because of the loss of a friend. We all have loved ones who we have lost and I suppose this is more for us than them because we can still change how we spend our "dash". But this poem causes me to reflect on the lives of loved ones I have lost and see all the good in them. I first heard this poem at my cousin's funeral years ago. I love the poem and I am thankful for this poem as well. So I suppose this is something I am thankful for so it fits on the blog. lol
The '-' Dash
Words by Linda Ellis
I read of a Reverend who stood to speak,
At the funeral of his friend,
He referred to the dates on (his) tombstone
From the beginning ... to the end.
He noted that first came the date of (his) birth
And spoke of the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
That (he) spent alive on earth
and now only those who loved (him)
know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own;
The cars, the house, the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend out the dash.
So think about this long and hard;
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
(You could be at "dash mid-range").
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what's true and real,
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more,
And love the people in our lives
Like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect
And more often wear a smile,
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.
So when your Eulogy is being read
With your life's actions to rehash ...
Would you be pleased with the things they say
About how you spent your dash?
I would like to say that I think my friend who passed away spent her dash very well even if it was a dash that was way too short. She touched so many lives-even those who she never physically met and made lives better as a result. She was very caring and funny and sweet. She will live on in the hearts of many who's lives have been made better because of knowing her.
I try to keep this poem close by to remind myself about my "dash" and how I am spending it. I don't know that I always do the best job but I try. Thanks for reading this post of mine and I hope you enjoy the poem and it touches you like it did to me.
Day 252: seeing friends I haven't seen in awhile
Hello again,
Today I am thankful for getting the chance to see friends I haven't seen in quite awhile. About 3yrs to be exact. They moved to BC three yrs ago and are here for awhile visiting with friends they haven't seen in awhile and today they came by to see us. It was so nice to see them in person and catch up. Another reason I am so thankful for this is that I realized (once again) how short life can be. I found out this morning that a friend of mine passed away of cancer and she wasn't even 40 yet. It hit me pretty hard. So to be able to visit with friends I haven't seen but have been intending to-it was really good. You get in this mode where you plan to visit sometime but there is always something to do or work to do and it gets put off because there will be time later. But there is not always time later because things can happen. I don't mean to be depressing but I am just saying that it is important to catch up now and not put it off. It is important to make time for the important people in your life because we won't always be here. So I am so very thankful for the time spent visiting and catching up with friends today because I know I am guilty of planning to come see them but never making it happen. I would like to say there have been obstacles in the way at times but not all the time. So I am thankful that they came here and we could catch up. I feel bad because I hadn't talked to my friend (who passed away recently) in awhile because I got busy. I didn't know how sick she was and it was a shock to me to learn she died. It shouldn't be like that. I suppose this is a mixed post and I apologize if it isn't quite completely positive but I am struggling here with lots of emotions. I am just being honest here. I am thankful for my friends and thankful for seeing them and catching up with them. Life is so very short. I am thankful for the time I have to be with those who are important to me. Work will always be there but people won't. Anyways I am really thankful for the time I got to spend with friends of my family and mine. Thanks for reading this post and don't forget to tell those you love that you love them. :)
Today I am thankful for getting the chance to see friends I haven't seen in quite awhile. About 3yrs to be exact. They moved to BC three yrs ago and are here for awhile visiting with friends they haven't seen in awhile and today they came by to see us. It was so nice to see them in person and catch up. Another reason I am so thankful for this is that I realized (once again) how short life can be. I found out this morning that a friend of mine passed away of cancer and she wasn't even 40 yet. It hit me pretty hard. So to be able to visit with friends I haven't seen but have been intending to-it was really good. You get in this mode where you plan to visit sometime but there is always something to do or work to do and it gets put off because there will be time later. But there is not always time later because things can happen. I don't mean to be depressing but I am just saying that it is important to catch up now and not put it off. It is important to make time for the important people in your life because we won't always be here. So I am so very thankful for the time spent visiting and catching up with friends today because I know I am guilty of planning to come see them but never making it happen. I would like to say there have been obstacles in the way at times but not all the time. So I am thankful that they came here and we could catch up. I feel bad because I hadn't talked to my friend (who passed away recently) in awhile because I got busy. I didn't know how sick she was and it was a shock to me to learn she died. It shouldn't be like that. I suppose this is a mixed post and I apologize if it isn't quite completely positive but I am struggling here with lots of emotions. I am just being honest here. I am thankful for my friends and thankful for seeing them and catching up with them. Life is so very short. I am thankful for the time I have to be with those who are important to me. Work will always be there but people won't. Anyways I am really thankful for the time I got to spend with friends of my family and mine. Thanks for reading this post and don't forget to tell those you love that you love them. :)
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Day 251: sd cards
Hello again,
Today I am thankful for sd cards. They make transfering photos to the computer so easy. I remember with our first digital camera (years ago) we had to use a cable to get photos on to the computer and somehow the cable sometimes had legs. lol Sd cards also hold so much data-it's really quite amazing! that little sd card can hold up to 32gb!!! I remember when computers didn't even hold that much data. They are so easy to pop in and out as well so it's really easy to change them while on the go. You can have extra cards handy for those times when you are out and about that you need more storage than one card can offer. They are reasonably priced as well so it is possible to carry along one or two extra cards. I love that they can fit into different devices also and can add storage for photos, ebooks, music, etc. I am quite thankful for sd cards!
Today I am thankful for sd cards. They make transfering photos to the computer so easy. I remember with our first digital camera (years ago) we had to use a cable to get photos on to the computer and somehow the cable sometimes had legs. lol Sd cards also hold so much data-it's really quite amazing! that little sd card can hold up to 32gb!!! I remember when computers didn't even hold that much data. They are so easy to pop in and out as well so it's really easy to change them while on the go. You can have extra cards handy for those times when you are out and about that you need more storage than one card can offer. They are reasonably priced as well so it is possible to carry along one or two extra cards. I love that they can fit into different devices also and can add storage for photos, ebooks, music, etc. I am quite thankful for sd cards!
Day 250: Canada
Hello again,
This post is for yesterday. For this post I am obviously thankful for our great country Canada. I am very proud to be Canadian and very thankful to live here. Of course my roots come from Holland but I consider Canada my home. I was born and raised here and I am thankful for that. We have so many privilages in Canada like freedom, clean drinking water and a healthcare system even if it isn't that great-it's still alot better than what other countries around the world have access to. There is much to be thankful for and proud of when it comes to all that Canada has to offer. :) So for this post I am very thankful for living in Canada and being Canadian.
This post is for yesterday. For this post I am obviously thankful for our great country Canada. I am very proud to be Canadian and very thankful to live here. Of course my roots come from Holland but I consider Canada my home. I was born and raised here and I am thankful for that. We have so many privilages in Canada like freedom, clean drinking water and a healthcare system even if it isn't that great-it's still alot better than what other countries around the world have access to. There is much to be thankful for and proud of when it comes to all that Canada has to offer. :) So for this post I am very thankful for living in Canada and being Canadian.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Day 249: a good memory
Hello again,
This post is for today! hehe. My back is bothering me from being up alot today but I am on a roll so I shall keep going. :) As I look at the clock and notice it's past midnight, I guess I should be saying it is for yesterday but to me it's still June 30. Today I am thankful for having a good memory. Well I suppose it depends what I am trying to remember. I usually remember something I read very well or an event or something that happened on a specific day. Though I tend to forget things like what I need to get at the grocery store or what I was intending to do when I reach a room where I had to do or get something. I hate that part-going to a certain part of the house and forgetting why I went there. lol I think it has little to do with old age and is very common actually. :) But I like being able to remember stuff I read and retain it in my head- especially when it's information that I can recall when it's be useful to remember. What I mean is, when I read a book on gardening and I read a whole chapter on pests-it is very useful to remember that info when I encounter those pests! Otherwise it seems kind of pointless to read huh? So I appreciate being able to have a good memory along with a love of reading because I think the two go hand in hand in terms of reading being useful. Anyways it is late so I should go to sleep and rest. Thanks for reading my blog!
This post is for today! hehe. My back is bothering me from being up alot today but I am on a roll so I shall keep going. :) As I look at the clock and notice it's past midnight, I guess I should be saying it is for yesterday but to me it's still June 30. Today I am thankful for having a good memory. Well I suppose it depends what I am trying to remember. I usually remember something I read very well or an event or something that happened on a specific day. Though I tend to forget things like what I need to get at the grocery store or what I was intending to do when I reach a room where I had to do or get something. I hate that part-going to a certain part of the house and forgetting why I went there. lol I think it has little to do with old age and is very common actually. :) But I like being able to remember stuff I read and retain it in my head- especially when it's information that I can recall when it's be useful to remember. What I mean is, when I read a book on gardening and I read a whole chapter on pests-it is very useful to remember that info when I encounter those pests! Otherwise it seems kind of pointless to read huh? So I appreciate being able to have a good memory along with a love of reading because I think the two go hand in hand in terms of reading being useful. Anyways it is late so I should go to sleep and rest. Thanks for reading my blog!
Day 248: Cool breeze
Hello again,
Well this post is for yesterday because the darn blog wouldn't let me post. lol Good reason right? Well yesterday was actually hot in my standards and it is really the first hot day of the year in my opinion. I enjoyed it soooo much! But when it's hot, it's nice to be able to cool down and yesterday there was such a nice cool breeze in the shade and I enjoyed it so much. I do get rather hot and I am not complaining but I do like to be able to cool down as well. Feeling the cool breeze is like a nice cold drink of water I suppose... it just feels so good. I should mention that lately I consider hot to be like 20 degrees. lol It has been so cold that 20 is begginning to feel hot I guess. lol Yesterday it was 25 and I love hot days and being able to enjoy a cool breeze and not feel cold. A cool breeze on a cool day is not very welcome but on a hot day I love it. I don't know if it was actually very cool but it felt cool. It is all relative I think in terms of what one is used to. Right now, 5 degrees would feel cold but during the winter it is a hot balmy day! It's all relative. Anyways a cool breeze on a hot day is so lovely. It enables me to be able to cool down and go back and enjoy the sunshine or make it possible to continue to be out in the sunshine and not get too hot. This is why I am thankful for a cool breeze.
Well this post is for yesterday because the darn blog wouldn't let me post. lol Good reason right? Well yesterday was actually hot in my standards and it is really the first hot day of the year in my opinion. I enjoyed it soooo much! But when it's hot, it's nice to be able to cool down and yesterday there was such a nice cool breeze in the shade and I enjoyed it so much. I do get rather hot and I am not complaining but I do like to be able to cool down as well. Feeling the cool breeze is like a nice cold drink of water I suppose... it just feels so good. I should mention that lately I consider hot to be like 20 degrees. lol It has been so cold that 20 is begginning to feel hot I guess. lol Yesterday it was 25 and I love hot days and being able to enjoy a cool breeze and not feel cold. A cool breeze on a cool day is not very welcome but on a hot day I love it. I don't know if it was actually very cool but it felt cool. It is all relative I think in terms of what one is used to. Right now, 5 degrees would feel cold but during the winter it is a hot balmy day! It's all relative. Anyways a cool breeze on a hot day is so lovely. It enables me to be able to cool down and go back and enjoy the sunshine or make it possible to continue to be out in the sunshine and not get too hot. This is why I am thankful for a cool breeze.
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