Tag Archives: coping

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Self-Published 

So many times, we're told
that we are the writers
of our future, 
but after some reflection...
I think we're most likely...not. 

Oh, we like to imagine 
we have a little control - 
What shall I eat?
what shall I wear?
and even...
Who shall I marry?

But then, realization
dawns - a foggy sunrise.  
We cannot control  
whether our very next 
breath will arrive. 

It is automatic, and
we were not given
the keys to that ignition. 

So I think...
in the big picture,
our imagined control
is just to placate us.  

However,
it can be very freeing
to realize you are 
a character in the story,
and not the author. 

It is especially 
encouraging 
when you summarily 
realize, 
that your particular
author is a best-seller, 
and clearly,
already has the plot 
all figured out!





Thank you for joining me on my 28 day birthday month celebration. It has been a challenge, but also a unique experience, and I'm pleased with myself for completing it. Thank you also for all your kind words and encouragement...they have made it all feel extra special. 🙂
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Self-Helpless 

I am the opposite of "self-help" - 
I am here to say that you cannot
do it on your own.

You are not strong enough, 
or powerful enough, 
or even really smart enough.

Not you. Not in your own
human-ness. 
So I wonder why - 
there are so many self-help
books that essentially
repeat the same mantra.
You. You. You.
When it's never been you
it's always been
WHO. 

Who do you put your trust in?
From where do you get 
your inner power?

If it's you, then,
oh dear, how fallible.

If it's Darkness, then
oh my, how temporary.

But- 
if it's the Light of the world, then
Oh yes, how powerful.
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Direct My Path 

We wander through the woods
of our lives,
tripping,
winding, 
pulling away branches,
and getting caught in the
brambles. 

It is a long road.
A rough road.
And then, a clearing up ahead.
We breathe the sweet nectar
of the open field,
feel the sunshine, 
and cooling breeze.
It feels like heaven. 

But the dark woods draw us back,
and soon we find ourselves,
tangled,
tired,
and bruised.

All the while, 
the Lord goes before us, 
clearing the path,
absorbing the blows, 
and wishing 
we would only take His hand,
so He could lead us to
the next clearing, and
the path of His design. 

Even so, He walks ahead.
Never forsaking us 
and our chosen pathway.
Even when He knows His is easier, 
He allows us to choose.

And then He clears the way. 



Happy Birthday to me, and my dear friend Olivia, and all the other souls who celebrate their arrival on this earth today. 
We made it. Keep walking the path, the destination is more beautiful than we can possibly imagine.

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The Perfect Cup of Tea 

Metaphorically,
true friendship is...
a good hair day,
the perfect cup of tea - 
no red lights on the
way to work,
and the first night of sleep
on freshly washed
sheets.

Socially, 
it's a smile at the 
caller ID, 
a long conversation
full of honesty,
and empathy -
and the ability to 
pick up where 
you left off...
after two hours,
two days, or four months. 

Emotionally, 
it's companionable silence
where words are not 
necessary,
laughing at the ridiculous 
when it is,
and prayers in -
and through, 
the pain. 

Essentially, 
true friendship
is the ability to 
be your utterly
weird, and
wonderful self,
and feel perfectly 
and completely 
at home. 


Celebrating all of the wonderful people who let me be my weird little self, but especially my friend Candy, who is having a birthday today, and who is learning to love tea as much as I do. 🙂

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New Life 

At first glance, you would not
consider furniture 
as an item needing rescue.
But it is. They do.

Cooped up, buried under
garbage and piles of
paper and humidity -
A table, a chair, sits - 
waiting to be remembered
to be cared for - to be clean.

It is made from material 
that was once alive -
and after being plucked
from purgatory,
and given a new home, 
it almost audibly sighs
with relief and gratitude 
for the gift of new life. 

Useful, Hopeful, and Wanted,
but most of all, 
Restored, 
in every sense of the word.
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The Gift of Time 

One of the greatest gifts
the Lord has bestowed to us,
is the gift of time.

And the greatest gift
we can give Him in return -
is how we spend that time.

We can fritter it away,
or pile it up with study,
or work, 
or mindless activity.

But what He would love, 
what He would ultimately prefer - 
is if we just took a deep breath, 
and said, "I'd really just like 
to spend my time with You."
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Dinosaur 

Dino-saur.
Dino-Roar.
Why do we obsess over 
that which scares us?
To regain power? Control? 
"We never had control." 
But! 
We always have the power. 
Fear is what we allow it to be.
Whether it's the dark, 
or spiders, 
or a large, scaly lizard
that ROARS. 




Dedicated to my first best friend and cousin, who shares my love of Dinosaurs, and so many childhood memories, and whose birthday is today. 
Happy Birthday, Lauren!
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The Walls of Jericho 

Those who lie build walls - 
they carefully construct
their version of truth. 
They shellack the stones
and settle inside their
forts of deception. 

Until.

A still, small voice says, 
"Enough."
And then another voice
And another. 

Until finally, 
the noise is so 
deafening -
that the walls come
crumbling down.
Jericho is taken,
once again. 



Written last year after the inspirational moment a local woman went public with her decades long pain.
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Bless Me With Indifference 

Betrayal is a heavy stone 
that weighs down the 
pockets of my mind.

It frays the seams, 
and nudges other
more important thoughts
out of my soul. 

It wearies me, worries me
and begs for my attention.
The wounds cut even deeper
when the Betrayer has 
gloated to others about 
the success of their crime.

I pray for relief and for release -
through forgiveness first,
and finally, the blessing of 
Indifference
where pain ceases, 
and peace begins. 


Another moment from the archives of last year. I had a LOT of feelings to work through, and I'm grateful for the time of reflection.
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A Great Man 

Which is better? Or should I say - 
Which is worse? 
To befriend a great man, 
and un-appreciate his greatness -
OR
To meet your hero...
and see him fall
- unceremoniously -
off his pedestal? 
Both are shameful, I suppose - 
We are all human -
Great & Good & Weak & Bad.
If only the scales would balance -
and we could recognize the difference
immediately...
what a great deal of misplaced
affection we would avoid.