Miracles

There are two ways to live your life:
One is as though nothing is a miracle.
The other is though everything is a miracle.

I am now among the hard core REAL believers having recently experienced the power of prayer. Not just my prayer, mind you, but the result of a group effort. Its amazing. I had been praying for some time. But only when I asked others, did the changes start to unfold.
Remember: Only a fool will turn away help!

The quote at the beginning of this post can be attributed to Albert Einsten. It makes reference to attitude more than miracles, I think, but I wanted to share my miracle with you.

Attitude makes a HUGE difference. An optomist will live longer than a pessimist and will probably have fewer wrinkles as well. To live fully, one must have faith and hope in the outcome of any given situation. Oh, it's very easy to say. It's a bit more difficult to actually do. That's where the prayer comes in. Ask God to help you. Remind yourself that everything is in God's hands and trust Him. You may at times question his judgement. That's where the faith comes in. But, I assure you, His plan is bigger than we ever imagined.

My Hut is on Fire...

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions.

One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, "God! How could you do this to me?"

Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal,"they replied.

The Moral of This Story: It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.

Many thanks to my Uncle (VirginiaBoy) for his email. He too, must have seen the smoke!

Footprints

We all walk around within the numbness of our habits and routines so often that we take the marvels of ordinary life for granted.

We had a wonderful snow this past weekend and what tickled me most about it was seeing the footprints on the hillside made by our dogs... a random pattern of circles and curliques with no real apparent destination. My dogs, like myself, probably had a thought... a plan... but somehow got sidetracked by something of interest along the way.

Tread Lightly

There is so much irony in life. The first thoroughly accurate cliche' that comes to mind is this one:
Be careful what you wish for...you just might get it.

I am sure many read that line and immediately identify! But, also remember, it's not up to you and I. The outcome is predetermined and we are just players of the script that has been outlined for us. Just a damn shame we can't sneak a peek to better prepare us for the next chapter, right?

Well, I don't know about you folks, but I'm hangin pretty well. I even have fun with it. Each pothole in the road teaches me to watch my step. Each hill (or mountain) reminds me to utilize those deep breathing techniques I learned a hundred years ago in Lamaze class. The view from the top of the hill ain't so bad either.

C'mon Spring!

Saturday was the perfect day with just enough sun to tease me into thinking winter was just imagined. Just a hint of wind. Not enough to chill, but just enough to keep you from breaking a sweat. I hiked up the hayfield and looked back at the house and all our projects (in-progress). I felt like Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic -- "on top of the world!" My mind raced with plans for spring.
Sometimes I feel like I'm in a race. There are many, many things I would like to see come together so at some point I can just sit back and just delight in it all.
The higher elevation also gave me a new perspective on just how much has been accomplished. It's hard to see change when you look at it, live it, day after day.
I did manage to get sheets hung on the line. I planned ahead! I love crawling into bed with that marvelous scent. Talk about aromatheraphy -- it's right up there with eucalyptus and spearmint (which is said to be very soothing and relaxing).
I am taking a que from my eldest who amazed me by saying "I try to eliminate the things in my life that cause me stress." She's 21! Where did she find that wisdom??