Could be this season of my life ...
But recently I've not only been reading - but inhaling -- lessons. From all walks of life.
Over the holidays I was gifted with this pretty journal ... which still sits, unblemished in the original gift bag. Not only do I loathe my handwriting; but the spiral binding confounds a 'southpaw.'
Then! Thinking how a certain phrase, a quote -- even a post resonates, I've decided to copy and preserve those scraps of paper onto the journal pages. 'All the feels,' as my g'girls might say.
Here's one.
I don't know the author personally, but will never forget that afternoon. Phoenix traffic is never easy, but that day, when a City police officer was murdered nearby my workplace, my afternoon commute took not 1 hr., but more than two.
I love what his mother has written about discovering balance.
Maybe you will, too.
(Sorry, but I can't figure how to copy this in its entirety.)
https://myfamilybleedsblue.com/2021/01/31/when-not-if-2/
Hugs, Myra
THANKS what an impressive read, yours and the thread. When I read I look for gems, things that RESONATE with me. I took this from the reference: Each expression of love, every hand that reaches out, any show of kindness and love – it all matters. Davey taking time out of his schedule packed with family and career to fly across the country to celebrate his step-grandfather’s 90th birthday and putting his arm around Merle for a picture matters – especially when 90 was the last birthday his step-grandfather celebrated.........
ReplyDeleteYes! so many things matter, especially when they are close. Example is the deaths to COVID are just numbers, until a relative passes to it. OR when a loved one contacts the disease.
I want to thank you for this. Sometimes we forget the man in Blue leaves home every day, and MOST of the time returns, BUT then......
Love ya, be safe, and again THANKS.
Sherry & jack
Oh, I wish I could hug the both of you right this minute!
DeleteSo very good post and so very true. I've started this year with writing verses that stick out to me or quotes that I like in a journal. Most are dealing with fear and encouragement. Hoping when that something happens they will be an encouragement to me or to someone else who may read it.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this post.
Aw, thank you for saying that!
DeleteWHat a beautiful story to read. Thank you for sharing. Rebekah bought us these family journals we are suppose to fill out. AVery has his in his bureau drawer. Me, who knows? I have had to move around my things so Nick could use Hannahs old office for his and my things are scattered. But I love your idea. As a SOuthpaw too I do not like my handwriting. My mom had chicken scrawl but both of my brothers are left handed and I find it terribly mean that they have beautiful handwriting like our right handed dad and I have the scrawl. Both sisters right handed. My big sis wrote miniscule. I always felt cheated not having nice handwriting. Sigh....You would so be welcomed into my kitchen. It is messy and always filled with food or snacks or something going on. But it makes me happy. I just wish it were bigger. I turned my Tata's Cottage into a sort of journal of encouragement. I think a lot oabout things going on and what I can do to be better about sharing love and kindness instead of meanness. Thank you for this share. I went over to follow her. You are a blessing to me. HUGS and LOVE
ReplyDeleteI had to smile, on account I've gifted people with those sorts of journals. I think it's normal when we envy others handwriting; and ours isn't THAT bad!
Deleteso true, the when, not if.. i think it is a good idea to write those quote, have you thought of turning the book backwards, start writing from the back and it will be good for your south paw... plus the doc on tv said to change things up, doing something you have always done but do it a different way builds brains cells and helps firght of the dementia. I just tried it and it was award turning pages the wrong way, but i think it will work
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea! Thanks!
DeleteMe thinks, its your journal and YOU get to put whatever you want too in it, smiles. There are no hard rules about writing etc. As for balance, I think there is a lot of us craving for balance. smiles
ReplyDeleteP.S. I read books backwards, I always start at the back and go forward, I like the plot ending first. OH and I do lots of puzzles too. As for handwriting, ohhhhhhhhh please....you obv. haven't seen my husbands, LOLOLOL.
Whaaaat? No surprises, then? Actually, I read an interview with the creator of Grey's Anatomy -- she said the writers begin each season, starting with the finale and working backwards. You may be onto something!
DeleteI'm an avid quote collector too. As far as "when, not if", I've been a cheerful pessimist all of my life. As one friend put it, "There are all sorts of nasties out there waiting to get us." Is that any reason to despair? Nope, I decided early in life not to waste my life worrying, instead to develop stress hardiness, to appreciate life, and to live my values while I was still here. As I've written before, my motto is "Stay curious and open to life. No matter what happens keep learning and growing. Find what you love and find a way to share it with others." It's worked fine so far. ❤️
ReplyDeleteCheerful pessimism sounds like a fine mindset! I definitely need to practice more stress hardiness.
DeleteWhat a touching and inspiring article that is, Myra. I say that it's a perfect piece to enter into your journal. I can see how that spiral binding would be a tremendous challenge to a lefty. Why don't the folks who design these journals keep that in mind? Oh, well, just sayin'.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Wouldn't that be loverly?
DeleteThat was so touching, thank you for sharing it with us. I think your idea for the book is a good one Myra!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Martha!
DeleteOh, God bless them. Faith is the one thing that carried my family through some struggles like that.
ReplyDeleteKeeping a journal has been part of my life for 2 decades, and re-reading them surprises me. Keep writing.
Thanks! With encouragement like yours, I think I will.
DeleteWhy not use the spiral back to front so that the metal spiral in on your right as you write left-handed?
ReplyDeleteWhen our time comes, it is not who we have been that people will remember; but how kind we have been to others. When we are missed by our absence, it is because our presence has had a positive effect on other people.
God bless.
I love that sentiment!
DeleteA moving article. Thanks for sharing it. Bad things do happen. I agree with Victor, too, that it is kindness that matters. I need to work on that... along with being patient. Great post. xo
ReplyDeleteMe, too, Terri. Me, too.
DeleteOH my, this certainly struck a chord with me tonight. First of all, I totally understand the spiral notebook journal difficulties for a southpaw, as I am also one! Another thing we have in common! I have so many of these lovely little books lying around in inconspicuous places, where I start off strong and then die away a few weeks later, just can't keep up with it...the blogging has taken over my handwritten journal days. But then, this post, "When, Not If"...Oh my, how I know that...My heart goes out to this mother who wrote her son's story (and hers)...we just never know from one day to the next, do we? Nothing is guaranteed in this life, except that we will one day pass from this life unto the next. So why are we always so unprepared for death when it comes? Even when my son battled cancer for four years we kept praying that he'd win the battle miraculously. But God had other plans for him...and He called him home. We don't know what those plans are...but He's building His heavenly army, I know that, and one day we will see men like her Davey and my Matthew come riding through the clouds with Jesus...when He comes, our Glorious King... to claim His bride...yes, we have to remember, this life is not the only one...the Best is yet to come!! Praise Be to Jesus!!
ReplyDelete... and won't it be fine?!
DeleteBlessings, Pam!
So true no if, but when. Jesus didn't say "if trouble comes" but "when trouble comes" (loosely paraphrased). Judy Glasser poignantly reminds us in so many ways in her writings of treasuring our time with loved ones and the importance of saying I love you and so much more. Always insightful to read her blogs.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you will find a very creative way to use your journal!
betty
Thanks for your vote of confidence, Betty!
DeleteGreat idea on how to use your journal. I would think there is plenty to cut and paste to keep for future reminders. I love to collect quotes, stories and poems and share as many as I can. Being left handed does have disadvantages the most of us don't even think about. My DDH was left handed, so I can relate.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ma! Some of yours will definitely make their way into the journal.
DeleteI started to read the article and then I just couldn't I live in the "When" everyday because I'm a worrier. I will read it eventually, I saved it. I like your idea for your journal.
ReplyDeleteAw, I'm sorry. I'm a worrier, too; always have been.
Delete