New Year's Resolutions??? Not Me!

Baby New Year
Originally uploaded by aranem

As the year rolls away, will you find me making New Year's Resolutions? NO!!!

It IS tempting to do it, but I agree with Mark Twain, who said:
"To promise not to do a thing is the surest way in the world to make a body want to go and do that very thing."

OK, one might say that a good resolution is a promise TO DO something! Well, that doesn't work for me, either......... because the premise of the resolution is to do it all year long. That is just too much pressure for me. One day at a time is all I can handle.

So, here's wishing you a safe and happy New Year's Eve, and, one day at a time, a blessed and peaceful year of 2010.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all, and peace each day of the year to come.

I have a special place in my heart for small choirs (because I've sung in small choirs since the 4th grade). I'm not sure how others make You-tube videos show up directly on their blog, so I'll just include a link to a wonderful small-choir version of Gesu Bambino. Let us adore Him, absolutely!
Enjoy!

YouTube Gesu Bambino

Stone Walls

Stone Walls
Originally uploaded by DigitalLyte

An amazing "aha" moment happened for me this past Friday during my Advent candle-lighting devotion. The scripture was Isaiah 58: 6 - 9. Here's verse 6 in the Contermporary English version:
"I'll tell you what it really means to worship the LORD. Remove the chains of prisoners who are chained unjustly. Free those who are abused!"

What does that have to do with a stone wall? Well, I have this tendency to build a wall around my inner self when I've been hurt; trying to protect myself from being hurt again. Let me tell you, that doesn't work! It just turns me into a prisoner of my own making. I've been building that wall again lately, and reading this reading woke me up to the fact!

The rest of the reading:
"Share your food with everyone who is hungry; share your home with the poor and homeless. Give clothes to those in need; don't turn away your relative. Then your light will shine like the dawning sun, and you will quickly be healed. Your honesty will protect you as you advance, and the glory of the LORD will defend you from behind. When you beg the LORD for help, he will answer, "Here I am!"

I can already feel the healing in my spirit. What a joy!

Oh, and if you click on the photo, you'll see the original post on Flickr, along with the lyrics to Jim Croce's song "Stone Walls". Jim Croce, and perhaps the person posting on Flickr, must have felt just like I feel!

Advent Is Here!

Advent is here! I have never had my own Advent wreath at home, and this weekend I decided that this is my year to create one! Yes, I know this is not a traditional wreath, but it is my own design, and the candles are all there. I will keep looking for a rose-colored candle, but if I can't find one, then four purple candles it is!

This feels like just what I needed to bring light, warmth, and joy to my home this year. December will be my third month living without my children in the house, and it has been challenging to keep the house feeling like a home. Each evening, I'll be lighting the candle, saying some prayers and reading a scripture.

To each of you who read this, I wish you peace, "shalom", this Advent season.

Refrigerator Art!

Ah, there's nothing quite like the joy of having refrigerator art again!

This art is courtesy of my great-niece Charlotte! I spent Thanksgiving Day with Charlotte and her family. This is one of the pictures that Charlotte gave me to bring home with me. I'm so blessed!

I told Charlotte how much I love butterflies, so here is a picture of "Aunt Evey" on a magical butterfly ride! I am so blessed to have the love of Charlotte and her little brother Daniel. What a joy to have hugs aplenty, and hysterical games of "Slamwich". (If anyone is looking for a FUN, inexpensive game for families with kids 5 - 8 years old or so........... I highly recommend the game, available at Barnes & Noble.)

This Thanksgiving, I'm definitely grateful for the love of children!

Unexpected Curves on Life's Journey

Every Day Is A Winding Road
Originally uploaded by ElWanderer

Talk about some curves! Here are some of the ways my life has been turned upside down in the past few weeks:

1. My son was in an auto accident. He braked to miss a deer on the road, lost control, and slammed into a telephone pole. Thankfully, he's alive! He has his broken jaw wired shut, a broken nose, broken bones around his eye, and a broken collar bone. I drove the 3 hours to go see him last weekend in the hospital. It was hard to see him in that shape, and harder still to leave to drive back home!

2. A long-time close, supportive friendship seems to have ended. What more can I say, than to say that this hurts. This was the friend I would have called first when I learned that my son was hurt. I've heard that when one door closes, another will be open. The trick is to avoid staring for too long at that closed door. I've been finding myself doing my share of staring back, though. Maybe I need to, just for a little while, so that I can feel my feelings of grief over the lost relationship.

3. Speaking of open doors......... I've actually been on my first date since 1979! You see, I was married in 1980 and divorced in 2004. Since then I've been finding healing in many ways. On the very same day that I learned of my friends desire to back away from our friendship, I was introduced to a charming man, who later asked me out on a date! Can you imagine how exciting AND how scary it can be to start dating after 30 years!!!!!!! Whew!

So, for now, one day at a time, I'll keep trusting that God is not surprised by any of the changes along this curvy journey I'm taking. Whatever comes, I'm not alone.

Oh, by the way, this picture came from Flickr....... if you click on it, it will link to the original post. My understanding is that it's OK to post with a link. :~)

About the Charter for Compassion.....

I learned about the Charter for Compassion from Bonnie at Original Art Studio. I can't explain it any better than Bonnie has...... so please check out her post! As I see so much more polarization in the world, I'm thrilled to spread the word about a group that is promoting something different, and giving voice to words I've felt but didn't know how to say.