The First Day of the Rest of My Life

We (me & my 2 beagles) finally moved into my our place, and all I have left to do now is to change an apartment full of boxes & bags & general stuff & junk into an actual living space. I'm sure it's easier said than done, but it's gotta be done, and I really can't expect much help from my pups in the way of lifting & carrying...but they are EXCELLENT at being cute & loving & loyal. What more could a girl want?!?!? ;-)

Anyway, I found a quote today that kinda lifted my spirits this morning & I wanted to share it. Maybe it will give someone else a needed lift, too (I hope so, anyway). It's a line from Anne Lamott, an American author probably best known for her book, Bird by Bird, her book on writing, and Operating Instructions, about her first year as a single mother, as well as various novels.

"Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don't give up."

What God Gave Me Today

In the midst of the current storm of my life, God keeps whispering sweet hope to my heart.

As insubstantial as the source of this hope may seem on its face, a song I heard for the first time today by (of all people) Miley Cyrus proved yet again to me that our Lord will do what He must to touch our lives, if we only let Him in.

I'm also starting to see that I can't let my life be about all those things I do not or cannot have; I want it to be about how--in spite of everything--truly blessed I am that God loves me enough to send me encouragement from the four corners of the world, and to have so many dear, precious friends who selflessly hold me up in prayer...and just plain hold me up when I don't even feel like I have the strength to stand at all.

Today, God gave me this...

The song is called The Climb and below is Miley's video.



Some of the lyrics that especially touched me today:

]I can almost see it
That dream I'm dreaming but
There's a voice inside my head sayin,
You'll never reach it,
Every step I'm taking,
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking but I
Got to keep trying
Got to keep my head held high

There's always going to be another mountain
I'm always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes you going to have to lose,
Ain't about how fast I get there,
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb.

P.S. Thank you, God.

(Some of) What I know to be true

Sometimes I wonder what--if anything--I've learned in my 45+ years on this planet, so below are a few things that have come to mind. They may sound trite & worn out, but I think at least some of them have withstood the test of time & remain as true as ever. They are listed in no particular order.

Disclaimer: Of course, as usual, this is simply my opinion based on my life thus far. My list may bear absolutely no resemblence to any real or potential list of your own making and you have every right to poke fun at, ridicule & question those things I have included; I just ask that, if you are so inclined, you remain civil & at least minimally-respectful in doing so. Remember, too, that simply because the source of the truth may not be of what you may consider the highest calibre, doesn't make it untrue or insubstantial. Sometimes you can find gold in the strangest places.

This is probably not a comprehensive list, and I will probably unintentionally leave out some very important lessons. Results may vary. The decision of the author of said list is final. Void where prohibited or taxed. No cash value.

No man is an island.

It takes a village.

It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.

To thine own self be true.

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

For of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: It might have been!

...the hardest thing in this world...is to live in it. Be brave. Live.

...whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a manner that when you die the world cries and you rejoice.

Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

And last, but far, far from least:

For a long time is seemed to me that life was about to begin -- real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. This perspective has helped me to see there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one. Happiness is a journey, not a destination.