Thankful Thursdays

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Some “Tamiami Trail” thoughts (because I travel that long road west-bound a lot, as you may know).

One of the toughest periods of my life was that 4-year span during my mother’s illness. I felt so overwhelmed and lost about what to do and how to do it. I had been through cancer care not Alzheimer care. Totally different monster. Fortunately, I had my husband and children to lean on for support.

Nevertheless, there were things I had to take care of for mom — finances, home, apartment, caregivers, doctors, medications — so many decisions to make that were new territory for me. I had to read and research, ask people, and do. Do a lot. While at the same time try not to lose my job, and still stay connected with my family.

My salvation was the Holy Spirit. I prayed to God constantly to send me the Holy Spirit to give me guidance about all of it. And He did. Not always at the speed I wanted it and sometimes in the direction I feared the most, but, I always felt a Higher Power leading me. To the point that to this day, when I think back on that period, I’m amazed at some of the things I did and how I did them. That wasn’t my doing. I was guided.

If and when you find yourself in a bind, all I can say is pray faithfully and continuously for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and help. I promise you will get it. Maybe in a surprising direction, but you will get it.

A note to my young readers, because they are getting stressed out a lot earlier than we older folks ever did:  That period of my life was not a voluntary thing for me, not a want or a wish. It was a must. This world is broken and crazy, kids, don’t get confused. Never lose sight of the fact that the stress and overwhelmingness you’re feeling may be caused by something good in your life not bad. Perspective goes a long way. You are young and just starting. Don’t spend all your reserves now. Leave nerves, worry, and stress in the gas tank for later when you’ll really need it.

Fortunately, we all have our support groups to help us out. But strength, discernment and enlightenment to make decisions and get things done will come, first and foremost, from the Holy Spirit. Believe. Reach out to It.

For my Guide and Helper, I am so grateful.

What are you thankful for today?

Until next Thursday’s post…si Dios quiere.

“I used to tell young preachers, in order to preach you’ve got to have the power of God on your life. Now I tell them, in order to tie your shoes you’ve got to have the power of God on your life.”
-P. Washer

“The wizard [of Oz] says look inside yourself and find self. God says look inside yourself and find [the Holy Spirit]. The first will get you to Kansas. The latter will get you to heaven. Take your pick.” -Max Lucano

“Everybody wants confidence but you don’t find it in self help books. You find confidence in the Holy Spirit.”
-R. Warren

 

Thankful Thursdays

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A couple of days ago, I came across a bit of writing which I think I’m going to print and place by my night stand. Better yet, print, cut out and stick to my forehead while I sleep so my brain can absorb it, sort of like a topical cream for my thoughts (imagine that). And maybe, just maybe, it’ll keep me from losing sleep worrying about things I should not be worrying  about. I’m gonna try it. 🙏

It reads:

“Sitting here studying John 11:1-44 (the account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead). Jesus could have come to heal Lazarus, whom He loved, while he was still sick but, instead, He waited until he was dead. It’s often difficult for us to see the proverbial ‘big picture’ of what God is doing in our life. We want God to answer our prayers mere minutes, if not seconds, after we’ve made our request(s) of Him. We don’t want to wait on God because we don’t want to wait for His big picture to unfold. That’s because the affections of our heart are misplaced—we want what we want when we want it and not what God wants for us. Is God testing you to wait on Him? If so, resist the urge to treat your situation as if God isn’t aware of it. He is aware of it. Not only is He aware of it, He was aware of it before you were (Matt. 6:8).”
-D.B. Harrison

For this kind of spiritual ointment, today I am thankful. May the Lord give us strength and peace while we patiently wait on His answers.

What are you thankful for today?

Until next Thursday’s post…si Dios quiere.

“A petition presented before God is like a seed dropped in the ground. Forces above and beyond our control must work upon it, till the true fruition of the answer is given.”
–The Still Small Voice

“Worrying is carrying tomorrow’s load with today’s strength- carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”
-Corrie Ten Boom

“. . . it is presumptuous in me to wish to choose my path, because I cannot tell which path is best for me. I must leave it to the Lord, Who knows me, to lead me by the path which is best for me, so that in all things His will may be done.”
-Teresa of Ávila

Thankful Thursdays

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When I was a kid, I thought things were always falling from trees. At least that’s what my mother made it sound like. “Eso se cae de la mata,” she often would say. And I’d be like “Huh, what’s falling from a tree?” She used this idiom to convey something was more than obvious, logical or common sense.

Now I find myself using this expression quite a lot. It’s difficult to fathom people’s thinking these days, you know? What the heck is going on?!

Anyway, a bit random, I know, but today I am thankful for my mother’s use of idioms and her lessons therefrom.

What are you thankful for today?

Until next Thursday’s post…si Dios quiere.

“The only thing a person can never have too much of is common sense.”
-K. Smith

”The mother’s heart is the child’s schoolroom.”
-H.W. Beecher

Thankful Thursdays

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Do you talk to yourself?  I do. 🙋🏻‍♀️  Who doesn’t, right? What are your conversations about? I can tell you mine range from what-ifs to self-butt kickings to pats in the back. Yeah no, the chats can get exhausting, guys.

But the right kind of self-talk and thoughts —like positive affirmations— can go a long way. There’s a lot of research out there that has shown positive affirmations can decrease stress and increase well being. In today’s world, that’s a golden ticket.

Now, because affirmations are exercises for our mind, repetition is all. Here are a few we can inject into our self-rap sessions:

  • I am thankful for the love in my life.
  • My hard work will pay off.
  • I am grateful for what I can do.
  • I learn from my mistakes.
  • I accept what I cannot change.
  • My strength is greater than my struggle.
  • Faith over fear.
  • Dale que tu puede (quoting Pitbull 😉)
  • I love where I’m headed.
  • Today and every day I am blessed.

And then there’s my favorite: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

For every positive thought…and self-chat, I am grateful.

What are you thankful for today?

Until next Thursday’s post…si Dios quiere.

“Affirmations are our mental vitamins, providing the supplementary positive thoughts we need to balance the barrage of negative events and thoughts we experience daily.”
-T. Walker

“Accept yourself, love yourself, and keep moving forward. If you want to fly, you have to give up what weighs you down.”
-R.T. Bennett

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
-Philippians 4:13

Thankful Thursdays

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Incredible how Ash Wednesday sneaks up on us every year. Once again, time for us to reorient ourselves and gain proper perspective on things. This season of Lent, let’s not only concentrate on repentance, almsgiving and what we give up, let’s also give some thought to all the blessings we receive.

Lent is here to shake me up, and I am very thankful.

To those of you who share in my faith and observe this holy season, I wish you a blessed one, full of enlightenment, peace, hope and love. To those of you who don’t, I still wish you a blessed one, full of enlightenment, peace, hope and love.

Until next Thursday’s post…si Dios quiere.

“For you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
-Genesis 3:19

“Lent is the time for greater love.”
-Mother Teresa

“No act of virtue can be great if it is not followed by advantage for others. So, no matter how much time you spend fasting, no matter how much you sleep on a hard floor and eat ashes and sigh continually, if you do no good to others, you do nothing great.”
-J. Chrysostom

Thankful Thursdays

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Don’t want to jinx it (is there such a thing?), but February 2023 and I’m still working remote twice a week. Thankful for that.

It’s the little not-so-little things that make a difference.

What not so little things are you thankful for today?

Until next Thursday’s post…si Dios quiere.

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
-R. Brault

 

 

 

Thankful Thursdays

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Food for thought: There are years that ask questions and years that answer.

Ain’t that the truth! Plenty of question marks in my year so far and we are barely two months into it. How’s yours going?

If 2023 is showing you more question marks than periods, fear not. Rest assured that for every season of uncertainty, there will be one of certainty.

Meanwhile, today is National Pizza Day. Have a slice while you ponder today’s thought.  🍕

For insightful seasons…and yummy foods, I’m always grateful.

What are you thankful for today?

“There are years that ask questions and years that answer.”
-Z.N. Hurston

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
-Matthew 6:34

“The Dalai Lama walks into a pizza store… and says, “Can you make me one with everything?”  😆
-S. Kalwar

Anyone who says that money cannot buy happiness has clearly never spent their money on pizza.
-Andrew W.K.

Thankful Thursdays

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I could fill today’s post with so many words about her. Or so I thought. As of this minute, those words elude me. All that comes to mind are images. And I can’t stop smiling.

Nervous Nelly won our hearts the minute she appeared at our doorstep twelve years ago. Many of you are familiar with her many faces and poses, as I often shared them with you. What a wonderful unexpected gift she turned out to be. Sadly, on Monday, we had to say goodbye to her.

Thanks for the laughs, Nelly! We are forever grateful you rescued us. We miss you so. May St. Francis have you now.

What are you thankful for today?

Until next Thursday’s post…si Dios quiere.

“We who choose to surround ourselves
with lives even more temporary than our
own, live within a fragile circle;
easily and often breached.
Unable to accept its awful gaps,
we would still live no other way.
We cherish memory as the only
certain immortality, never fully
understanding the necessary plan.”
-Irving Townsend

“Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.”
-Robert Frost

“Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission; to be of service to them whenever they require.”
– St. Francis of Assisi (Patron Saint of Animals)

 

Thankful Thursdays

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I’ve never felt my “life” clock ticking faster than I do now. And with every tick-tock, a heightened sense of urgency to live. Wow, guys, like no time to waste, really.

Living with a sense of urgency (not to be confused with “living in a rush”) induces motivation and helps us reach our goals. This is essential when we are young. But, it is especially important later when life becomes more about “hurry up and do it ‘cause you’re running out of time.”

Today, my heightened sense of urgency is bringing even more clarity to what matters most. It is a constant reminder of how precious time is and how we should not waste it. Not waste it in anger, regrets, worries, or grudges and, instead, invest it in making the best out of each and every day.

Inject some urgency into your living. No matter how young or old you are. Remember, our mañanas are not promised.

For every tick and tock, I am grateful.

What are you thankful for today?

Until next Thursday’s post…si Dios quiere.

“I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.”
-L. da Vinci

Thankful Thursdays

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And speaking of milestones, here’s another big one – – this Sunday we’ll be celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary (39 together). Wow, what a ride! Fortunately for us, we enjoy roller coasters. More important, though, is the fact that the Safety Harness on this wild ride of ours was designed by a Higher Power.  If not…. 😬🫤

For those of you who have been married a long time (10 years or more by today’s standards), I don’t need to describe this ride. To those of you who have recently hopped on, or are about to, here’s what to expect:

From the get-go, either a fast-launch or a slow and steep up-hill, followed by drops, sharp curves, sudden changes of speed and sometimes even inversions. And there will be tunnels, many.

I can tell you that the admission ticket for this adrenaline-boosting ride is not free. The price is composed of a number of self-less acts. Among them:

Commitment – When you board the ride, fasten your seatbelt…tight.
Compromise – The front seats offer the best views, the back the most airtime. Take turns choosing.
Respect – You got on this ride, you automatically earned it. So, give it.
Patience – If you’re willing to stand in line at a theme park….need I say more?
Acceptance – That one second it’ll feel like you are on top of the world with the wind rushing through your hair, and the next you may be puking.
Sacrifice – Intensifies the minute the kids hop on your ride. Throw your hands up, keep eyes open.
Love – Because that is what makes the ride worthwhile.
Communication – No matter the ups and downs, say at least one stupid corny joke at bedtime to end the day on a laugh.
Faith – To trust and believe your Safety Harness will hold you tight through the ride, and that there will be light at the end of each and every tunnel.

May your marriages be long, happy and healthy.

For our 35 years, so far, today and always, we are thankful. Happy anniversary, Babe!

What are you thankful for today?

Until next Thursday’s post…si Dios quiere.

“Success in marriage does not come merely through finding the right mate, but through being the right mate.”
-B. Bruckner

“What greater thing is there for two human souls, than to feel that they are joined for life–to strength each other in all labor, to rest on each other in all sorrow, to minister to each other in silent unspeakable memories at the moment of the last parting?”
-G. Eliot

“The real act of marriage takes place in the heart, not in the ballroom or church or synagogue. It’s a choice you make–not just on your wedding day, but over and over again–and that choice is reflected in the way you treat your husband or wife.”
– B. de Angelis