Making A Difference
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Hello Fellow Sojourners!
Will you be alone for the holidays? We won't be alone with all the birds visiting our yard daily. This is one of our Carolina Wrens digging for mealworms in a dish of fruit and nuts on our deck.
Whether by choice or circumstances, many will be alone for the holidays, and there's some encouragement available online.
Holidays are an emotional time and statistics show that depression is at a peak for many. There's never a shortage of holiday scenes on tv or magazines to remind you that you're life is not matching up in the materialism realm or the area of relationships.
If you're single and have chosen to spend the season alone and not with family, you may get encouragement with this article: www.bellaonline.com/articles/art47913.asp
For many people who won’t be surrounded by family or loved ones during this time of year for a variety of reasons such as recent separation or divorce, death, travel or simply because they live in different parts of the country, media portrayals can add to a sense of isolation with the continual scenes of what should be happening for your Christmas. Here's an article that will give you a change of focus:
psychcentral.com/lib/2006/11/alone-during-the-holidays-join-the-crowd/
Then move on to an action plan with "10 Things to Do If You’re Alone for The Holidays" which will get you out of the slump and into a plan that will take you through the holidays just fine, if you choose to implement it:
psychcentral.com/lib/2006/11/10-things-to-do-if-youre-alone-for-the-holidays/
Randal and I will be alone for the holidays but we've been scheduling various activities and volunteer opportunities to make the month seem brighter and Christmas Day can be what you want it to be, not only what the advertising tells you it should be. For us it will be a DiGiorno Spinach, Mushroom and Roasted Garlic Pizza and some old-time movies from the library.
It's just a day and each year you can make it what it is in your heart ... or if that's not possible, then change your heart and choose something that's possible. Thinking negative thoughts about what cannot be is no way to spend any day, especially Christmas, a day celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ who came to give us eternal life. Keeping our thoughts controlled during December is a huge task in itself, but it can be done!
May God's Blessings Abide in Your Home and Heart This Month!
Donna
Today's Featured Article
Making A Difference
by Donna L. Watkins
This little bluebird is looking at his reflection in the water. I want to say, "Penny for your thoughts?" What do bluebirds think about as they fly, hop and jump around discovering new things each day?
There's been a lot of emphasis on exercise for years. It's amazing the amount of money being spent on gym and fitness center memberships. Walking has always been great exercise.
It's well known that the aerobic benefits of fast walking is good for the heart, but with all the research being done on how our health is affected by our state of mind - by stress and anxiety - it is also important to note that even slow walking has many terrific benefits if done on a nature trail in slow motion. To me it's doing what comes naturally, and like this bluebird, you'll discover new things each day too.
The value of the shadows and light patterns on a wooded path along with the sounds of songbirds serenading the forest and all inhabitants, is priceless compared to a fast hard walk on asphalt along a path that changes little from day to day. There can be a lot of muscles used on a nature walk as you bend over to look at the detail of a wildflower or stoop down to get a close-up look of a mushroom that sprang up over night in the path. You can get plenty of neck movement as you watch a female Tiger Swallowtail butterfly floating through the canopy of the forest in search of the perfect tulip poplar tree to lay its eggs.
The emotional benefits will go a long way to making it a great day and those hormones now being produced by your smiles and good thoughts are going a long way on building your health also. I've never been able to use exercise machines. I guess there's always been something inside me that said it wasn't my way. Pounding asphalt doesn't fit either, but I do enjoy gardening while all the people walk by and take time to say "good morning." It's refreshing to begin the day with greetings from human beings who have at least learned to take some time for themselves in today's busy world that screams for more and more productivity.
I always lived life at such a fast pace before having health issues that have slowed me down a bit. Sleep was a waste of time for a couple of decades of life and if I wasn't getting something done, I didn't consider it a good day. But now, I've learned to take life slower even if I have the energy to do all that I did before. I see life differently and my priorities have changed.
In the book, "The Meaning of Faith," the author, Harry Emerson Fosdick tells of a conversation that John Quincy Adams had, with a friend on a street in Boston, at the age of 80.
"Good morning," said the friend, "and how is John Quincy Adams today?"
The ex-president replied, "John Quincy Adams himself is well, quite well, thank you. But the house in which he lives at present is becoming dilapidated. It is tottering upon its foundation. Time and the seasons have nearly destroyed it. Its roof is pretty well worn out. The walls are much shattered, and it trembles with every wind. The old tenement is becoming almost uninhabitable, and I think John Quincy Adams will have to move out of it soon. But he himself is quite well, quite well."
This attitude has been called "body transcendence," which means you don't judge yourself only on the state of your body. One online mention of this term is: "Body transcendence vs. body preoccupation. Stresses the ability to focus on comforts, enjoyments, and mental tasks while de-emphasizing body aches, pains, and losses. "
Getting old does not cause one to automatically become less of a person. Even while aging, we maintain many of our abilities and we can continue growing in Christ and in wisdom, as we learn to love more deeply. We should have more patience and tolerance for things our younger bodies and minds could find not comprehend. There is much to contribute to this world regardless of our state of health.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under Heaven."
Having to slow down for a health problem doesn't mean it's permanent. Sometimes our bodies just demand some R&R. Don't let a health issue make you believe that life is over and that you are no longer of value because you can't do what you used to do. Life has many seasons. Live and enjoy them as they come and keep yourself in the present. Don't look back over any regrets and don't look forward with fear. Take today and be who you are and make it a better day for somebody else.
You wouldn't believe how much a smile and a few kinds words can do for those you see each day. Taking time to add value to somebody else's life will always add value to your own. Handwriting is becoming a lost art. Take the time to write a short note to somebody - even somebody you don't know. I drive past a place when I go to town that always makes me smile. The landscaping is lovely. I realized one day that it may make a difference to the owners to know that others are receiving joy from their work, so I wrote a note and stuck it in their mailbox.
After that I decided to keep notes in my car. Making a difference in somebody else's life sure makes a difference in mine.
Forward To A Friend
Forward this article to a friend by email or by sending them a link to the blog:
http://www.theherbsplace.com/AHMblog/ahm.html
More Spiritual Articles
You can view previous articles that have been sent in "A Healing Moment" on our website. Find More Articles Here
Complimentary Email Newsletters
The Herbs Place offers several newsletters with topics such as natural health, essential oils, pets, nature, and frugal living. Read more about these newsletters.
Copyright and Reprint Information
© 2006 Donna L. Watkins
All photos remain the property of Donna L. Watkins. You may forward or use this copyrighted article on a website if you include the following credit and link:
This article originally published in "A Healing Moment" was reprinted with permission. The Herbs Place provides a free email subscription to "A Healing Moment." Visit the author's website for more articles and other free newsletters available. http://www.theherbsplace.com/A_Healing_Moment_A_Weekly_Devotional_sp_23.html
Hello Fellow Sojourners!Will you be alone for the holidays? We won't be alone with all the birds visiting our yard daily. This is one of our Carolina Wrens digging for mealworms in a dish of fruit and nuts on our deck.
Whether by choice or circumstances, many will be alone for the holidays, and there's some encouragement available online.
Holidays are an emotional time and statistics show that depression is at a peak for many. There's never a shortage of holiday scenes on tv or magazines to remind you that you're life is not matching up in the materialism realm or the area of relationships.
If you're single and have chosen to spend the season alone and not with family, you may get encouragement with this article: www.bellaonline.com/articles/art47913.asp
For many people who won’t be surrounded by family or loved ones during this time of year for a variety of reasons such as recent separation or divorce, death, travel or simply because they live in different parts of the country, media portrayals can add to a sense of isolation with the continual scenes of what should be happening for your Christmas. Here's an article that will give you a change of focus:
psychcentral.com/lib/2006/11/alone-during-the-holidays-join-the-crowd/
Then move on to an action plan with "10 Things to Do If You’re Alone for The Holidays" which will get you out of the slump and into a plan that will take you through the holidays just fine, if you choose to implement it:
psychcentral.com/lib/2006/11/10-things-to-do-if-youre-alone-for-the-holidays/
Randal and I will be alone for the holidays but we've been scheduling various activities and volunteer opportunities to make the month seem brighter and Christmas Day can be what you want it to be, not only what the advertising tells you it should be. For us it will be a DiGiorno Spinach, Mushroom and Roasted Garlic Pizza and some old-time movies from the library.
It's just a day and each year you can make it what it is in your heart ... or if that's not possible, then change your heart and choose something that's possible. Thinking negative thoughts about what cannot be is no way to spend any day, especially Christmas, a day celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ who came to give us eternal life. Keeping our thoughts controlled during December is a huge task in itself, but it can be done!
May God's Blessings Abide in Your Home and Heart This Month!
Donna
Today's Featured Article
Making A Difference by Donna L. Watkins
This little bluebird is looking at his reflection in the water. I want to say, "Penny for your thoughts?" What do bluebirds think about as they fly, hop and jump around discovering new things each day?
There's been a lot of emphasis on exercise for years. It's amazing the amount of money being spent on gym and fitness center memberships. Walking has always been great exercise.
It's well known that the aerobic benefits of fast walking is good for the heart, but with all the research being done on how our health is affected by our state of mind - by stress and anxiety - it is also important to note that even slow walking has many terrific benefits if done on a nature trail in slow motion. To me it's doing what comes naturally, and like this bluebird, you'll discover new things each day too.
The value of the shadows and light patterns on a wooded path along with the sounds of songbirds serenading the forest and all inhabitants, is priceless compared to a fast hard walk on asphalt along a path that changes little from day to day. There can be a lot of muscles used on a nature walk as you bend over to look at the detail of a wildflower or stoop down to get a close-up look of a mushroom that sprang up over night in the path. You can get plenty of neck movement as you watch a female Tiger Swallowtail butterfly floating through the canopy of the forest in search of the perfect tulip poplar tree to lay its eggs.
The emotional benefits will go a long way to making it a great day and those hormones now being produced by your smiles and good thoughts are going a long way on building your health also. I've never been able to use exercise machines. I guess there's always been something inside me that said it wasn't my way. Pounding asphalt doesn't fit either, but I do enjoy gardening while all the people walk by and take time to say "good morning." It's refreshing to begin the day with greetings from human beings who have at least learned to take some time for themselves in today's busy world that screams for more and more productivity.
I always lived life at such a fast pace before having health issues that have slowed me down a bit. Sleep was a waste of time for a couple of decades of life and if I wasn't getting something done, I didn't consider it a good day. But now, I've learned to take life slower even if I have the energy to do all that I did before. I see life differently and my priorities have changed.
In the book, "The Meaning of Faith," the author, Harry Emerson Fosdick tells of a conversation that John Quincy Adams had, with a friend on a street in Boston, at the age of 80.
"Good morning," said the friend, "and how is John Quincy Adams today?"
The ex-president replied, "John Quincy Adams himself is well, quite well, thank you. But the house in which he lives at present is becoming dilapidated. It is tottering upon its foundation. Time and the seasons have nearly destroyed it. Its roof is pretty well worn out. The walls are much shattered, and it trembles with every wind. The old tenement is becoming almost uninhabitable, and I think John Quincy Adams will have to move out of it soon. But he himself is quite well, quite well."
This attitude has been called "body transcendence," which means you don't judge yourself only on the state of your body. One online mention of this term is: "Body transcendence vs. body preoccupation. Stresses the ability to focus on comforts, enjoyments, and mental tasks while de-emphasizing body aches, pains, and losses. "
Getting old does not cause one to automatically become less of a person. Even while aging, we maintain many of our abilities and we can continue growing in Christ and in wisdom, as we learn to love more deeply. We should have more patience and tolerance for things our younger bodies and minds could find not comprehend. There is much to contribute to this world regardless of our state of health.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under Heaven."
Having to slow down for a health problem doesn't mean it's permanent. Sometimes our bodies just demand some R&R. Don't let a health issue make you believe that life is over and that you are no longer of value because you can't do what you used to do. Life has many seasons. Live and enjoy them as they come and keep yourself in the present. Don't look back over any regrets and don't look forward with fear. Take today and be who you are and make it a better day for somebody else.
You wouldn't believe how much a smile and a few kinds words can do for those you see each day. Taking time to add value to somebody else's life will always add value to your own. Handwriting is becoming a lost art. Take the time to write a short note to somebody - even somebody you don't know. I drive past a place when I go to town that always makes me smile. The landscaping is lovely. I realized one day that it may make a difference to the owners to know that others are receiving joy from their work, so I wrote a note and stuck it in their mailbox.
After that I decided to keep notes in my car. Making a difference in somebody else's life sure makes a difference in mine.
Forward To A Friend
Forward this article to a friend by email or by sending them a link to the blog:
http://www.theherbsplace.com/AHMblog/ahm.html
More Spiritual Articles
You can view previous articles that have been sent in "A Healing Moment" on our website. Find More Articles Here
Complimentary Email Newsletters
The Herbs Place offers several newsletters with topics such as natural health, essential oils, pets, nature, and frugal living. Read more about these newsletters.
Copyright and Reprint Information
© 2006 Donna L. Watkins
All photos remain the property of Donna L. Watkins. You may forward or use this copyrighted article on a website if you include the following credit and link:
This article originally published in "A Healing Moment" was reprinted with permission. The Herbs Place provides a free email subscription to "A Healing Moment." Visit the author's website for more articles and other free newsletters available. http://www.theherbsplace.com/A_Healing_Moment_A_Weekly_Devotional_sp_23.html
1 Comments:
At 51, and a doer from way back,I still fall into 'do' mode. Old habits can be difficult to break. However, God is persistant.
The 'Stroll'. Don't you just love that word and all it entails? It says, "Come away with me and let's talk" My female heart tingles with delight to know God who loves me, is calling for my presence of body, spirit and heart. To refresh, heal and make joyous.
As I write this I realize I often dismiss my husband's call to "Come away with Me" to refresh, heal and make joyous our marriage.
Thank you Donna, for the 'stroll'.
Be blessed as you are created to be a blessing,
Suzanne
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