Finding Balance

When I think of balance, I remember how as a young girl I loved to walk up higher than the ground. My apartment building had an enclosed area with a tree in the middle, and benches in a square. I loved getting up on those benches and walking (or running!) around and around, jumping from bench to bench. I'd often walk along the curb instead of on the sidewalk, just to enjoy keeping my balance on the narrow space!

My life has gotten BUSY these last couple of weeks! So, how do I find my balance? How do I keep my connections with God and with my friends, take care of myself, AND do the extra work I've added to my schedule?

Some days, I'm energized, as I move from activity to activity, keeping my balance.
Other days, I'm overwhelmed. It doesn't help that I'm a "political junky", and have difficulty tuning out of the drama afforded by this year's election. (Never fear, readers.....this blog is NOT going to turn into a political blog!)

How do I keep my balance? For me, right now, that means making a special effort to be REALLY PRESENT in the activity I'm doing......... whatever that may be. I'm finding a surprise! If I'm with my friends, I'm NOT thinking about classes and the studying I need to do. One night I was having difficulty getting my mind to settle down for sleep, prayer, reading, or anything. I started singing a hymn (and I DO love singing hymns!) There was grace in that moment, and I found my balance again.

There IS joy in the journey right now. I've forgotten how fun it is to walk along a narrow place!

It's all worth it in the end!

Inspired by Daisybug's poetry, along with her pictures of her laughing baby boy HERE ,
I'm feeling gratitude today for my grown son.
He, too, was a sweet, laughing baby once.
Then, he became a shy, but happy little boy.
Then, sometime during adolescence, the nightmare began.
I know now that the nightmare is called marijuana, which led to, oh so many other problems.
During those years, I was the crazy mother who tried EVERYTHING to make things right, only nothing worked.
Even a month at an expensive treatment center didn't seem to work.
Then, as he turned 18, he found himself in a court-ordered outpatient alcohol program....... and he turned his life around.
Now, at 21, he's a hardworking, polite, fun-to-be-around young man......... and yes, I'm proud.

Yes, it's all worth it in the end!

What a week!

What a week this has been!

I started out last Saturday by taking Cindy to college. Ah, the exercise one can get when the dormitory is on the 3rd floor! Move-in was a zoo, and somehow the mattress topper got lost in the shuffle. So, we found our way to a nearby Target to get a replacement. (That's AFTER going to the Wal-mart right across the street from the university, only to find that they had NO TWIN X-L BEDDING! -- WHAT ARE THEY THINKING??)

Now, I'm only an hour's drive away from the university.......... but still, imagine my surprise when my daughter called and said "I'm coming back home" that very afternoon! It seems her roommates "didn't even make sure I was awake to go to the barbeque". That was her first lesson in college reality -- you're responsible for waking YOURSELF up! She headed right back the next day, and is doing fine now. :~)

Meanwhile, my girlfriends took very good care of me, and escorted me to the beach on Saturday afternoon. Beach therapy.......... just what the doctor ordered! Aren't friends just the greatest blessing?!

Then, Monday I started my own classes -- I'm taking the H & R Block tax course, so that perhaps I can earn some money to pay for this college education! So far the course is not difficult, but you know, it's been a long time since I had to come home from a long day of work and DO HOMEWORK.

What's next? Well, a sinus infection, thank you very much.

I'm finally feeling human again........

Now, I'm off to check on my favorite blogs! I've missed you all!

"The greatest mistake"

I found a new "gadget to add to my blog!

Today's inspiration: "The greatest mistake you can make in life isto be continually fearing you will make one."

How many times have I started a post, only to say "naahhhh, that will just be silly!"

How many times have I wanted to branch out and try something new, only to say "I'll just mess it up".

What exactly is SO TERRIBLE about making a mistake? I've heard it said that if you're not making mistakes, then you're probably not doing very much.

Life is too short to keep postponing DOING things because I can't yet do them perfectly!
It takes courage to try anyway....... and a good sense of humor to laugh at myself when I goof!

Some days I'm better at "trying anyway" than other days. You know, I think that I'm happier when I find the courage to take a risk!

Just what my spirit needs!

I've been wandering around in blogworld, and found a poem that is JUST what my spirit needs!



Sometimes we need to "just BE".



Please follow me to "Spiritually Directed", "Let your God love you".
Thank you, Roberta!