STOP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
http://www.gov.on.ca/MBS/english/myontarioweb/abuse.html
http://www.drirene.com/index.asp
If you know of someone who is dealing with abuse, offer them support, & advice on things they can do in order to get help in dealing with what they are living with. Abuse happens much more than most people are aware of. It's something that happens in every walk of life, and to probably every age group out there. It is not restricted to just one certain type of person, or from a certain walk of life. It is open to every race, every person, every age, and every type of person. Often it happens bit by bit and a person has no idea what is really happening, or doesn't know what to do in order to escape from it. In many cases, there are threats of more abuse, threats to take children, and in some cases threats of death. Unless you've had to deal with it or know someone who has, I don't think most people understand the reality or severity of this problem.
There are many sites available to people on the internet if one has access to it. There are also many hotline numbers out there for those who do not have access to computers, and places where one can go for help.
Abuse is a crime. Don't let it keep happening!
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Kidney Dialysis
Do you know anyone whose had kidney failure or is facing the frequent routine of kidney dialysis? I do...my father was faced with his kidney's failing on him a few years ago, and having to make a decision to go for dialysis or not. Yes, it was a choice he had to make. At first, the thoughts of all that was involved in it, left him reeling with indecisiveness and thinking it just wasn't worth it. The staff who provided us with information made sure he was aware that it was his choice to made, and made sure he was well informed about all the things that would happen no matter which choice he did made. Eventually he chose to go the route of having dialysis. This meant starting with a lot of blood work & tests, receiving injections that had to be given at home for awhile by myself, and having an access line put in to his chest surgically. On the same day they did this they started dialysis. When you first start off, you need to be at a main dialysis hospital where there are trained doctor's available all of the time to help when there are problems. This meant we had to drive for an hour in order to get to one of these places, and then while my father underwent treatment, I had 4 hours to fill in away from home. Thankfully it was close to a friends home, as well as some big shopping center's. We made that trip 3 days a week, back and forth for 3 long months. I wasn't crazy about the drive, but my father was finding the drive too much as he would be so exhausted after a treatment, and it bothered him to be on the road amongst all the traffic, bad weather, and road conditions as winter started, and meal times were also affected. For me, it meant having to make arrangements for my children, and my own schedule, and at times when my own health was bad, having to bother friends for help. Eventually, after he was stable in his treatment, he was moved to a local hospital only 5 minutes from home, and thus the journey continuted. He is still faced with making the choice of having his access line changed to the arm, but that too has it's good and bad points, so he hasn't decided on that one. On the days he has dialysis, his whole schedule is disrupted, he is exhausted, and often feeling chilled right thro' and unable to warm up. The rest of the day is often spent drifing in and out of sleep. With the dialysis there is always a risk of bleeding, dizzyness, pressure being affected, the possibility of stroke or coma....and I'm sure other symptoms of which I am not even aware of. It is an evasive proceedure that many face in order to give them some quality of life after their kidneys fail.
If you're interested in learning more about this, check out the following sites.
Here's just a few of the many sites that can be found on the internet.
http://www.kidneycircle.com/index.html or/
http://www.davita.com/index.shtml
Kidney dialysis happens when a person's kidney's quit functioning properly. If they aren't working the person's body begins to fill up with toxins which send poison's thro' the body, and will eventually end up destroying the rest of their organs, and eventually causing death. Dialysis treatments give people the opportunity to live longer, and to continue on with their lives.
Kidney dialysis is a life saving proceedure for many people, and a most necessary one. For most, dialysis means having to get to a place where they do dialysis treatments, and spending on the average of 4 hours, 3 days a week in dialysis. If you don't live near a place where dialysis can be done, many people are having to drive for several hours back and forth to places that do it...or in some cases, patients are forced to remain in places far from their homes in order to receive treatment. It is a very time consuming, and evasive thing to have to go thro' and after that time receiving it, most patients find the rest of their day a write off as it leaves them feeling totally drained & tired.
Before they receive dialysis, patients are shown some of the different proceedures & options available to them. There are also choices to be made in deciding how they want to receive treatments,getting onto a good diet to help you, finding the right vascular access area which is used to provide the dialysis treatment for the patient, and preparing for all of these things. It's not an easy thing for these patients to have to go thro'. Their are risks & side effects to all of this, and making a committment to being there to receive treatment. Often patients have to rely on others to provide transportation, and time to help them. For some, there is the option of home units, which definitely aren't for everyone, for others there is the hope of being put on a list for a kidney transplant. This too in not without risk, and problems, but for the younger patient, is a definite advantage over the frequent treks to the hospital for dialysis. It is something that requires a challenge to both patients, and their families, and also to the many doctor's & nurses who work in this field.
If you know someone in your family who is having to go thro' this process, then reach out and offer your help & support as they go thro' this. It's a challenge that these people have to contend with daily. If you can help in some way, why not do so?
If you're interested in learning more about this, check out the following sites.
Here's just a few of the many sites that can be found on the internet.
http://www.kidneycircle.com/index.html or/
http://www.davita.com/index.shtml
Kidney dialysis happens when a person's kidney's quit functioning properly. If they aren't working the person's body begins to fill up with toxins which send poison's thro' the body, and will eventually end up destroying the rest of their organs, and eventually causing death. Dialysis treatments give people the opportunity to live longer, and to continue on with their lives.
Kidney dialysis is a life saving proceedure for many people, and a most necessary one. For most, dialysis means having to get to a place where they do dialysis treatments, and spending on the average of 4 hours, 3 days a week in dialysis. If you don't live near a place where dialysis can be done, many people are having to drive for several hours back and forth to places that do it...or in some cases, patients are forced to remain in places far from their homes in order to receive treatment. It is a very time consuming, and evasive thing to have to go thro' and after that time receiving it, most patients find the rest of their day a write off as it leaves them feeling totally drained & tired.
Before they receive dialysis, patients are shown some of the different proceedures & options available to them. There are also choices to be made in deciding how they want to receive treatments,getting onto a good diet to help you, finding the right vascular access area which is used to provide the dialysis treatment for the patient, and preparing for all of these things. It's not an easy thing for these patients to have to go thro'. Their are risks & side effects to all of this, and making a committment to being there to receive treatment. Often patients have to rely on others to provide transportation, and time to help them. For some, there is the option of home units, which definitely aren't for everyone, for others there is the hope of being put on a list for a kidney transplant. This too in not without risk, and problems, but for the younger patient, is a definite advantage over the frequent treks to the hospital for dialysis. It is something that requires a challenge to both patients, and their families, and also to the many doctor's & nurses who work in this field.
If you know someone in your family who is having to go thro' this process, then reach out and offer your help & support as they go thro' this. It's a challenge that these people have to contend with daily. If you can help in some way, why not do so?
Monday, March 21, 2005
Spring has arrived!
Yesterday we experienced a winter storm & snowfall. It wasn't so great having to drive thro' it, but once it stopped it was actually quite pretty. The snow was thick packing snow. After church ended those who are young or young at heart ventured out into the snow and had some fun running around and throwing snowballs at one another. A few of the drivers decided to try out their experience in driving and stopping in the parking lot. I think if I was in better shape I would have got ride in the middle of it all, or gone out and made a snowman. That's what I used to look forward to in the winter when my children were younger. Watching for the perfect snowy day when the snow was good for packing and rolling into snowballs. This winter has been such a long, cold winter and while I'm sure there were a few days, I don't really remember many where the snow was just right for making snowmen. I wonder if people have strayed away from the art of making snowmen? I don't remember seeing any on people's front lawns or anywhere around the.
Now that winter is almost over, I can think about the beauties of winter. Have you ever stopped to look out over a field, or a forest area after a fresh, new snowfall. It can leave a breathtaking view as you look out over a blanket of pure white, glistening snow. Barren trees, with their leaves all shed are sprinkled & filled with a coating of white on their branches. Even the streets remain snow covered until the first cars start down it and leave their tire tread tracks. As things get busier, the snow is pushed to the sides, and turned into a slippery slush, splashing everything. Children & adults alike venture out into the snow each with their own idea's in mind. Playing, making snowmen, throwing a snowball or fort, shovelling and piling it up, tromping thro'.
After the snow we had yesterday, the ground was completly covered. Everything was still white when I got up today. It was a lovely sunny day out. The temperature has risen above freezing, and I watched in wonder as the snow slowly disappeared, a little stream of it flowing into a puddle at the end of the drive. Patches of brown/yellow grass are sticking up thro' the snow, and there seems to be a few more birds singing in the tree's. As the daylight ends, over half the snow has disappeared. I wonder if this is the end of it all? Today gave us promise of the arrival of spring. Amazingly, today is officially the first day of Spring.
Come on Spring!!
Now that winter is almost over, I can think about the beauties of winter. Have you ever stopped to look out over a field, or a forest area after a fresh, new snowfall. It can leave a breathtaking view as you look out over a blanket of pure white, glistening snow. Barren trees, with their leaves all shed are sprinkled & filled with a coating of white on their branches. Even the streets remain snow covered until the first cars start down it and leave their tire tread tracks. As things get busier, the snow is pushed to the sides, and turned into a slippery slush, splashing everything. Children & adults alike venture out into the snow each with their own idea's in mind. Playing, making snowmen, throwing a snowball or fort, shovelling and piling it up, tromping thro'.
After the snow we had yesterday, the ground was completly covered. Everything was still white when I got up today. It was a lovely sunny day out. The temperature has risen above freezing, and I watched in wonder as the snow slowly disappeared, a little stream of it flowing into a puddle at the end of the drive. Patches of brown/yellow grass are sticking up thro' the snow, and there seems to be a few more birds singing in the tree's. As the daylight ends, over half the snow has disappeared. I wonder if this is the end of it all? Today gave us promise of the arrival of spring. Amazingly, today is officially the first day of Spring.
Come on Spring!!
Monday, March 07, 2005
Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Do you know anything about Fibromyalgia, or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? More than one million patients, barely any research, no known cause, and no cure. Fibromyalgia is a chronic widespread pain with at least 11 tender points, often with Chronic Fatigue symptoms. Chronic fatigue syndrome is persistent fatigue, chronic pain, sleep disturbances, with neurologic, autonomic, and immune dysfunction (a.k.a.) Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.
If you want to learn more, check out FM-CFS Canada ~ Compassion in action.
www.fm-cfs.ca
Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is often called the "invisible disease," because outwardly, we may look perfectly healthy. Inside though, we may have intense pain throughout our bodies, we may be constantly fatigued and weak, we may be dizzy, confused, lacking sleep, suffering digestive disorders, and generally living a poor quality of life. There is no known cure for Fibromyalgia, but there are ways to treat the symptoms, to improve that quality of life.
FMS is a type of neurotransmitter disorder, in which the pain-signals that our brains receive are intensified, and our muscles do not get the healing nutrients they need. The current diagnosis is usually made by a Rheumatologist who will find 11, or more, "tender points" on your body.
This site is enormous when it comes to the accumulation of information and knowledge, but is small and cozy when it comes to the personal contact with new friends that suffer the same effects of Fibromyalgia, like you. Come here for gentle hugs, tough love, self-help information, and lifelong friendships. Relax and enjoy ~~ http://www.fibrohugs.com/
http://www.truehues.com/index.php A new Canadian site just starting!
If you want to learn more, check out FM-CFS Canada ~ Compassion in action.
www.fm-cfs.ca
Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is often called the "invisible disease," because outwardly, we may look perfectly healthy. Inside though, we may have intense pain throughout our bodies, we may be constantly fatigued and weak, we may be dizzy, confused, lacking sleep, suffering digestive disorders, and generally living a poor quality of life. There is no known cure for Fibromyalgia, but there are ways to treat the symptoms, to improve that quality of life.
FMS is a type of neurotransmitter disorder, in which the pain-signals that our brains receive are intensified, and our muscles do not get the healing nutrients they need. The current diagnosis is usually made by a Rheumatologist who will find 11, or more, "tender points" on your body.
This site is enormous when it comes to the accumulation of information and knowledge, but is small and cozy when it comes to the personal contact with new friends that suffer the same effects of Fibromyalgia, like you. Come here for gentle hugs, tough love, self-help information, and lifelong friendships. Relax and enjoy ~~ http://www.fibrohugs.com/
http://www.truehues.com/index.php A new Canadian site just starting!
Friday, February 25, 2005
Choices
There are times when I'd like to come here and pour my heart out and share how I'm feeling, but then I wonder just how much information is is good to disclose. How much should we really share of our lives, and will it hurt others if we do. That's a choice & decision I have to make.
Somedays life just seems so full of blessings & joy. Then there are other times when I sit back and wonder WHY ~ How come? When all I want to do is cry out or runaway from it all.... Why is life so hard? Why is it so difficult to do anything? Why are there so many problems to overcome? Why is there so much pain~ physically, emotionally & spiritually? Why is there so much suffering in people's lives?
I know we are supposed to turn to God in EVERY circumstance, be it blessings or needs. He wants to hear from us thro' the good times and the bad. He is a Father who loves us unconditionally and just wants us to come to Him and share our lives with Him. Often when things are going well, we just continue on our way and forget to turn to Him. We should be reaching out in praise & thanksgiving for "ALL" the blessings He gives us in our lives. When problems mount up and bring us down, then often the question that people ask is Why or where are you God or why did you let this happen? He's there, but we have to reach out to Him and call upon His name. It's hard to understand, but God is not responsible for our problems. He only wants to help us. We need to learn patience in waiting for His answers....and even greater to "LISTEN" when He does reach out and talk to us thro' His word or another peson or event.
I'm afraid I'm not very patient these days. I used to have a lot of patience, but lately I find so many things seem to push me to the edge and feeling so overwhelmed.
I thought as I got older & got thro' those difficult teenage years that things would get better. Did they? They changed, but I once again found I faced some things that took every bit of my strength to endure & get thro'. With God's help I did get thro'. Life got better for a time. But the mountains & valleys were constantly changing and life took a lot of ups & downs for me. For another time things were so difficult & so hard to get thro'. I couldn't have done it had it not been for my faith and a God who loves me and helped me thro' it all and provided some good friends to help.
Our lives are affected by the choices we choose to make when we are growing up, and during those different seasons in our lives. Those choices often affect others and ripple out just like the ripple effects in a wave. It would be nice to know the outcome of things when we make a choice in our lives, but we don't. We can look ahead and think about the effects of our actions, but ultimately we should be seeking God's guidance in all we do and thro' all of the choices we make. If we don't choose wisely, then adversities & trials can often come our way and make life so difficult and almost unbearable. When we choose wisely and make God #1 in our lives, then we will discover His loving presense in our lives.
Today I am living with the results of some of my past choices.
Some of those things are good & some are bad, but whatever happens I know God is with me.
Despite the difficulties of raising children, they are a joy beyond all joys. They are a wonderful & beautiful miracle in my life and I am so blessed that God gave me such precious gifts to take care of. I love them with all my heart, and I've known the heartbreak they can be, but that bond of love between a parent & a child is so special. Perhaps one day I'll share how much of a miracle my daughters truly are.
Once you become a parent I think it's a wonderful & amazing lesson in helping us to make us realine that the love we have for our children is nothing compared to the love our FATHER in Heaven loves us. He loved us so much that He gave us His son, and He died for our sins. He suffered beyond measure from people who were cruel & horrible to Him. They beat Him, tortured him, despised Him, made fun of him, and hurt Him in ways that we could never fathom. Even knowing all of these things would happen to Him, He was still there willing to die for our sins. So why can't we accept that love? Why, when He comes knocking at our door not turn to Him and invite Him into our lives? He's knocking and wants an invitation in. Are you going to let Him in?
Somedays life just seems so full of blessings & joy. Then there are other times when I sit back and wonder WHY ~ How come? When all I want to do is cry out or runaway from it all.... Why is life so hard? Why is it so difficult to do anything? Why are there so many problems to overcome? Why is there so much pain~ physically, emotionally & spiritually? Why is there so much suffering in people's lives?
I know we are supposed to turn to God in EVERY circumstance, be it blessings or needs. He wants to hear from us thro' the good times and the bad. He is a Father who loves us unconditionally and just wants us to come to Him and share our lives with Him. Often when things are going well, we just continue on our way and forget to turn to Him. We should be reaching out in praise & thanksgiving for "ALL" the blessings He gives us in our lives. When problems mount up and bring us down, then often the question that people ask is Why or where are you God or why did you let this happen? He's there, but we have to reach out to Him and call upon His name. It's hard to understand, but God is not responsible for our problems. He only wants to help us. We need to learn patience in waiting for His answers....and even greater to "LISTEN" when He does reach out and talk to us thro' His word or another peson or event.
I'm afraid I'm not very patient these days. I used to have a lot of patience, but lately I find so many things seem to push me to the edge and feeling so overwhelmed.
I thought as I got older & got thro' those difficult teenage years that things would get better. Did they? They changed, but I once again found I faced some things that took every bit of my strength to endure & get thro'. With God's help I did get thro'. Life got better for a time. But the mountains & valleys were constantly changing and life took a lot of ups & downs for me. For another time things were so difficult & so hard to get thro'. I couldn't have done it had it not been for my faith and a God who loves me and helped me thro' it all and provided some good friends to help.
Our lives are affected by the choices we choose to make when we are growing up, and during those different seasons in our lives. Those choices often affect others and ripple out just like the ripple effects in a wave. It would be nice to know the outcome of things when we make a choice in our lives, but we don't. We can look ahead and think about the effects of our actions, but ultimately we should be seeking God's guidance in all we do and thro' all of the choices we make. If we don't choose wisely, then adversities & trials can often come our way and make life so difficult and almost unbearable. When we choose wisely and make God #1 in our lives, then we will discover His loving presense in our lives.
Today I am living with the results of some of my past choices.
Some of those things are good & some are bad, but whatever happens I know God is with me.
Despite the difficulties of raising children, they are a joy beyond all joys. They are a wonderful & beautiful miracle in my life and I am so blessed that God gave me such precious gifts to take care of. I love them with all my heart, and I've known the heartbreak they can be, but that bond of love between a parent & a child is so special. Perhaps one day I'll share how much of a miracle my daughters truly are.
Once you become a parent I think it's a wonderful & amazing lesson in helping us to make us realine that the love we have for our children is nothing compared to the love our FATHER in Heaven loves us. He loved us so much that He gave us His son, and He died for our sins. He suffered beyond measure from people who were cruel & horrible to Him. They beat Him, tortured him, despised Him, made fun of him, and hurt Him in ways that we could never fathom. Even knowing all of these things would happen to Him, He was still there willing to die for our sins. So why can't we accept that love? Why, when He comes knocking at our door not turn to Him and invite Him into our lives? He's knocking and wants an invitation in. Are you going to let Him in?
Friday, February 11, 2005
Thinking
The sun is shining and it seems like a beautiful day out. I haven't yet been outside. I've been sitting in the warmth of my home. As sunny as it is, it is still quite cold out. It's -5 C or 20F out there. So it's not very warm at all. There's a light breeze out there, and the world still goes on no matter what it's doing out there. Most of the trees are bare, except for a few odd leaves that have clung to them over the winter months. The ground is covered in a light covering of snow, and you can see the dead grass popping thro' by the fence posts. From where I sit, I can see a couple of squirrels playing and dashing across the hydro wires. Occasionally a bird flys thro' the trees, or lands on the hydro wires. It's amazing how the birds & the squirrels can cross these dangerous wires and sit on them without being fried from the high powers of electricity. Now that's something that I don't understand or know much about. What a truly amazing invention. They carry electricity from house to house and from one place to another and because of that we are provided with so many new and wonderful conveniences, and sources of power. It's something we often tend to take for granted. Many years ago before my time, people didn't have hydro in their homes. They didn't have electric stoves & fridges. They sure didn't have tv's & radios and computers weren't even thought about. The early settlers relied upon fires, oil lamps, wood stoves. These things were something they needed in order to stay warm, to cook with and to see. There weren't any flashlights either. They used their oil lamps to see in the dark and went to bed early. They worked hard to make ends meet and to survive despite many difficulties and problems they had to face. They worked the ground, raised animals, and tried to live off of the land. If they wanted to go anywhere they walked or they went by horse or horse & buggy. We walk out to our motor vehicles and drive all over the place. It our car doesn't get us where we want to go we rely upon buses, trains, planes..and so many other things that never existed back in the times of the pioneers.
When I was growing up I often wondered what it would have been like to have lived in the days of the pioneers. I was fascinated with shows and books about them and still enjoy them. When I was younger I sometimes wished I could go back to experience some of the things these people did. I'd sit & think about how things might have been if I'd lived back in a past time. They certainly had less distractions in their lives and less conveniences, and they worked from morning to night to make a living and to take care of their families. Times were difficult and people didn't always have very long lives. They struggled against various diseases, they suffered from severe weather conditions, and watched on as many tragedies & things destroyed their crops, their homes and even their families. Their lives were very hard, and yet family committments & values were important to them and something they worked at and tried to protect. They lived close to nature, and around them they saw all of God's creation, and sought to learn more about Him and to teach their family and draw them in thro' family times.
Nowadays people struggle in so many different ways. We've been given so many conveniences & things that are supposed to make out lives easier. We just go to the store and pickup whatever we want, be it food, clothes, electronics, etc. People are so busy running in different directions. Regular family time is almost non-existant. People are forced to work shift schedules, days, afternoons, nights and weekends, and often both parents are working outside of the home relying upon daycare for their children, or leaving them home to get by on their own. Many kids are travelling to school and coming home to an empty house. There is often no discipline, care, concern or help when they are upset or troubled or have something great to share. I'm not saying this sort of life isn't working. Nor is this the way in every home, but some people it is. Some people are thriving on it, and a lot of the kids are turning out fine. Unfortunately there's also a lot of them out there who aren't thriving, who aren't doing ok, who are going thro' hard times. Can you imagine what it must have been like in the days of the pioneers?
Nowadays you don't even have to go out to the store, People get on their computers and order things online. If we don't have the money, then we borrow it, or we run up debts and use charge cards without even thinking of how we are going to pay the bills...well in some cases. I don't want to put everyone in the same category as I know people are different. They all view life differently and they are are living at different levels according to their jobs, finances, health, circumstances in life. Charge cards seem to be away of life and people look at you strangely when you go to get something and they want your charge card as security and you tell them you don't have one. The other day I was checking out some prices on something in an attempt to reduce some bills. I was told I needed a charge card as security to get something that might help . When I said we didn't have one, the person suggested we borrow someone else's card...a family member or friends. What is this world coming to? He didn't want to take a chance on someone backing out of a deal and insisted on security via a charge card and nothing else would work out except to sign something saying you would instead pay their monthly fee's over a certain period. It was a minor thing and something I wasn't even sure I was interested in, but people are so pushy and figure their products are the only things that work and insist that you need to do something about it immediately. I didn't...I told them I needed to think about things and the person acted like I was losing out on a great deal and shouldn't waste time thinking.
I think perhaps he knew if I actually thought about it and compared prices & services, I would find something that worked just as well.
I'm tired of being rushed and told that I need to do things immediately, or I might lose out. If I lose out now, there will always be something else out there. Often something better! I can't go back to the days of the pioneers but I can certainly try to make things simpler.
If I think about things and pray about what I really need, then I'm not going to lose out for God is in control, and He is the one who supplies our needs.
The sun has gone, and the air has stilled, and thro' the cold, another day is drawing to an end. There will always be another day, and another tomorrow...and when the time comes for me when that new day does not dawn, then I'm trusting my God will bring me to my future and His promised land, and all the tomorrow's of eternity. A time when I will no longer have to wonder about anything, when true love will be found, and when I will find contentment & beauty beyond all I can imagine.
When I was growing up I often wondered what it would have been like to have lived in the days of the pioneers. I was fascinated with shows and books about them and still enjoy them. When I was younger I sometimes wished I could go back to experience some of the things these people did. I'd sit & think about how things might have been if I'd lived back in a past time. They certainly had less distractions in their lives and less conveniences, and they worked from morning to night to make a living and to take care of their families. Times were difficult and people didn't always have very long lives. They struggled against various diseases, they suffered from severe weather conditions, and watched on as many tragedies & things destroyed their crops, their homes and even their families. Their lives were very hard, and yet family committments & values were important to them and something they worked at and tried to protect. They lived close to nature, and around them they saw all of God's creation, and sought to learn more about Him and to teach their family and draw them in thro' family times.
Nowadays people struggle in so many different ways. We've been given so many conveniences & things that are supposed to make out lives easier. We just go to the store and pickup whatever we want, be it food, clothes, electronics, etc. People are so busy running in different directions. Regular family time is almost non-existant. People are forced to work shift schedules, days, afternoons, nights and weekends, and often both parents are working outside of the home relying upon daycare for their children, or leaving them home to get by on their own. Many kids are travelling to school and coming home to an empty house. There is often no discipline, care, concern or help when they are upset or troubled or have something great to share. I'm not saying this sort of life isn't working. Nor is this the way in every home, but some people it is. Some people are thriving on it, and a lot of the kids are turning out fine. Unfortunately there's also a lot of them out there who aren't thriving, who aren't doing ok, who are going thro' hard times. Can you imagine what it must have been like in the days of the pioneers?
Nowadays you don't even have to go out to the store, People get on their computers and order things online. If we don't have the money, then we borrow it, or we run up debts and use charge cards without even thinking of how we are going to pay the bills...well in some cases. I don't want to put everyone in the same category as I know people are different. They all view life differently and they are are living at different levels according to their jobs, finances, health, circumstances in life. Charge cards seem to be away of life and people look at you strangely when you go to get something and they want your charge card as security and you tell them you don't have one. The other day I was checking out some prices on something in an attempt to reduce some bills. I was told I needed a charge card as security to get something that might help . When I said we didn't have one, the person suggested we borrow someone else's card...a family member or friends. What is this world coming to? He didn't want to take a chance on someone backing out of a deal and insisted on security via a charge card and nothing else would work out except to sign something saying you would instead pay their monthly fee's over a certain period. It was a minor thing and something I wasn't even sure I was interested in, but people are so pushy and figure their products are the only things that work and insist that you need to do something about it immediately. I didn't...I told them I needed to think about things and the person acted like I was losing out on a great deal and shouldn't waste time thinking.
I think perhaps he knew if I actually thought about it and compared prices & services, I would find something that worked just as well.
I'm tired of being rushed and told that I need to do things immediately, or I might lose out. If I lose out now, there will always be something else out there. Often something better! I can't go back to the days of the pioneers but I can certainly try to make things simpler.
If I think about things and pray about what I really need, then I'm not going to lose out for God is in control, and He is the one who supplies our needs.
The sun has gone, and the air has stilled, and thro' the cold, another day is drawing to an end. There will always be another day, and another tomorrow...and when the time comes for me when that new day does not dawn, then I'm trusting my God will bring me to my future and His promised land, and all the tomorrow's of eternity. A time when I will no longer have to wonder about anything, when true love will be found, and when I will find contentment & beauty beyond all I can imagine.
Monday, February 07, 2005
How do we view others?
I read someone's blog recently and they were talking about how people judge others by their looks, esp. the young people. I can certainly understand why some people might be judged because of others that have gone before them and spoiled things, but not everyone is the same. Not every group of young people is the same nor is every group of 'old' people. I have to admit that people do tend to look at a group of young people who are dressed differently and judge them wrongly. Often without reason....but I have to say there are many reason's why they are judged. Unfortunately all it takes is a small minority to dress differently, in ways we don't think are proper or understand or like, and have a group of these kids causing trouble, and doing things that are wrong. Immediately when we see someone else dressed in the same way or the same age, we begin to stereotype that age group. It may not be right, but it happens, and I can see why some people do this, but it doesn't make it right. All it takes is a small group of trouble makers to spoil it for others who fit their stereotypes. Does it stop here? NO... Unfortunately many people out there tend to put all people into categories, & groups & stereotype them into the way they see them, and view things. Age is not a barrier in this area, nor is the way you dress. There are so many things that people are critical of: Oh she doesn't dress up or she wears the wrong clothes, he has tatoo's or too many piercings, his clothes don't fit the standards... This barrier goes even further to the point where you are criticized because of your colour, your lifestyle or lack of it, your size, the fact that you wear glasses, or that you don't fit into a certain group.
The old saying you can't judge a book by it's cover is so true!! We are the books...and are covers should not matter or affect who we really are...even though they sometimes do.
Kids are often the most critical of all in that they make fun of one another, and call each other names. "Fatty, four eyes, beanpole, stinky, teacher's pet"....are just a few of the names I remember hearing in school. Back then the teachers really didn't put a stop to those things, or like always, didn't hear most of it anyway. Kids were cruel in their name calling. If you didn't fit into a certain group, or you were too shy, or daring to do the things they thought you should do you were shunned, and made fun of. Those names hurt, and even more it hurts to be made fun of & cut down and ignored, and not included in what others are doing. Why do children do this to those around them? Is it something they've learned from one another or from their peers or parents?
Some youth are great for ganging up on someone who doesn't quite fit into their way of how they think they should look or act. They look at older people & parents as someone from the dark ages, and think they are too old to understand what they are dealing with and going thro'. We all experienced different things...and I know I have not, nor will I ever forget my childhood or teenage years...nor would I ever want to relive or go back to many of those times because of the things I experienced at the fun of others.
Unfortunately being critical is not just limited to the kids, or the youth, nor is it limited to any age, sex, colour, group or area. People from every walk of life are out there being critical of one another, and putting others into the categories they feel each should be in and stereotyping all those around them.
So many people are made fun of and judged because of their colour, their size, their religion, their way of life, their age, their forms of dress & appearance, where they live, what their parents do, how the teacher treats them, the kind of marks they get in school, how socialized they are..............and the list goes on.
This is a problem that has been around since the beginning of time, and during the time that Jesus walked the earth He too was judged, stereotyped and criticized. More than that, He was beaten, made fun of and nailed to a cross where He gave His life in His love for mankind and His Father. Can you imagine the utter despair & pain that He must have gone thro'?
Christ died on that cross for us because of His great love for us. He asks that we love one another as He loved us. That is the greatest gift God provides for us and asks of us....to love one another. If we love someone we will accept them as they are. If we accept Christ into our lives, and His love, He will bless us with His Holy Spirit and with the gift of His Spirit. From there we will be blessed and know the fruits of the spirit where we should live & walk in love. Galations 5 talks about walking in the Spirit and the gifts & fruit of the Spirit which God supplies. If we accept others for who & what they are then we are following what God asks of us.
"The fruit of the Spirit is the direct result of the life of Christ ministered to the believer by the Spirit."Donald Gee
Can we look around us and try to see deep within others and perhaps try to see what Christ sees? Can we honestly say we don't judge others by their appearances, or the way they act & dress, who they hang out with, or how old they are...or any of those many other factors. What do we see when we look at someone new? Do we try to get to know them and to understand them or do we stereotype them upon our first view?
Perhaps we need to look deep within ourselves and see what God is seeing and before we seek to judge, find acceptance & reach out in love...and then we might see others doing the same.
The old saying you can't judge a book by it's cover is so true!! We are the books...and are covers should not matter or affect who we really are...even though they sometimes do.
Kids are often the most critical of all in that they make fun of one another, and call each other names. "Fatty, four eyes, beanpole, stinky, teacher's pet"....are just a few of the names I remember hearing in school. Back then the teachers really didn't put a stop to those things, or like always, didn't hear most of it anyway. Kids were cruel in their name calling. If you didn't fit into a certain group, or you were too shy, or daring to do the things they thought you should do you were shunned, and made fun of. Those names hurt, and even more it hurts to be made fun of & cut down and ignored, and not included in what others are doing. Why do children do this to those around them? Is it something they've learned from one another or from their peers or parents?
Some youth are great for ganging up on someone who doesn't quite fit into their way of how they think they should look or act. They look at older people & parents as someone from the dark ages, and think they are too old to understand what they are dealing with and going thro'. We all experienced different things...and I know I have not, nor will I ever forget my childhood or teenage years...nor would I ever want to relive or go back to many of those times because of the things I experienced at the fun of others.
Unfortunately being critical is not just limited to the kids, or the youth, nor is it limited to any age, sex, colour, group or area. People from every walk of life are out there being critical of one another, and putting others into the categories they feel each should be in and stereotyping all those around them.
So many people are made fun of and judged because of their colour, their size, their religion, their way of life, their age, their forms of dress & appearance, where they live, what their parents do, how the teacher treats them, the kind of marks they get in school, how socialized they are..............and the list goes on.
This is a problem that has been around since the beginning of time, and during the time that Jesus walked the earth He too was judged, stereotyped and criticized. More than that, He was beaten, made fun of and nailed to a cross where He gave His life in His love for mankind and His Father. Can you imagine the utter despair & pain that He must have gone thro'?
Christ died on that cross for us because of His great love for us. He asks that we love one another as He loved us. That is the greatest gift God provides for us and asks of us....to love one another. If we love someone we will accept them as they are. If we accept Christ into our lives, and His love, He will bless us with His Holy Spirit and with the gift of His Spirit. From there we will be blessed and know the fruits of the spirit where we should live & walk in love. Galations 5 talks about walking in the Spirit and the gifts & fruit of the Spirit which God supplies. If we accept others for who & what they are then we are following what God asks of us.
"The fruit of the Spirit is the direct result of the life of Christ ministered to the believer by the Spirit."Donald Gee
Can we look around us and try to see deep within others and perhaps try to see what Christ sees? Can we honestly say we don't judge others by their appearances, or the way they act & dress, who they hang out with, or how old they are...or any of those many other factors. What do we see when we look at someone new? Do we try to get to know them and to understand them or do we stereotype them upon our first view?
Perhaps we need to look deep within ourselves and see what God is seeing and before we seek to judge, find acceptance & reach out in love...and then we might see others doing the same.
Sunday, January 23, 2005
Just another day....
I was awake at 5:30am this morning in terrible pain. I suffer with fibromyalgia, and also have osteo-arthritis, along with degenerative disc disease....meaning some of my discs in my back are degenerating...getting smaller. Thus there are times when they move and the friction of things rubbing together causes pain. This morning the pain was going from the back of my head all the way down into my lower spine and I couldn't sleep or even stand to lay on my back. For awhile it was almost unbearable.Thank goodness for pain med's, and special ointments that can be rubbed on to help. I was actually able to get a little more sleep when the med's kicked in.
Today was church so I had to get up and moving. The car had to be started ahead of time and warmed up since we are getting some frigid temperatures right now, and there was some snow & ice that needed to be cleaned off. I was just going to spend the morning sitting & relaxing but I ended up going up to the front to sing with the worship team. I enjoy singing, but it's taken a long time for me to gather the courage to start singing at the front and to be in front of so many people. I've always shied away from crowds and especially talking in front of them or doing anything. I was perfectly content to stay at home with my books & hobbies, unless it was only one of two friends. I still don't do well in groups, and I get all tongue tied sometimes.
After church a lot of them were going out to lunch so we/my family, decided to join them and go to Montana's. I knew they were going to have them sing to my daughter, but someone decided to blow the whistle and let them know it was also my birthday. That meant they brought two moosehead hats with horns out for us to wear while they sang happy birthday and took a picture of each of us. Now that was not expected.... The hat was only a few moments, but the picture traps that memory forever....yikes. Oh well, all in the fun of things! It was good to get out and be with some other people/friends for awhile.
I don't know if it's this weather, or the way I've been feeling, or just a lot of the stress in my life, but I've been feeling a little down and just wanting to curl up and stay home lately. Somehow my life doesn't let me do that...which perhaps it for the best. (well sometimes)
Anyway, I just wanted to try and write something down. Guess it was just another day in my life!
Today was church so I had to get up and moving. The car had to be started ahead of time and warmed up since we are getting some frigid temperatures right now, and there was some snow & ice that needed to be cleaned off. I was just going to spend the morning sitting & relaxing but I ended up going up to the front to sing with the worship team. I enjoy singing, but it's taken a long time for me to gather the courage to start singing at the front and to be in front of so many people. I've always shied away from crowds and especially talking in front of them or doing anything. I was perfectly content to stay at home with my books & hobbies, unless it was only one of two friends. I still don't do well in groups, and I get all tongue tied sometimes.
After church a lot of them were going out to lunch so we/my family, decided to join them and go to Montana's. I knew they were going to have them sing to my daughter, but someone decided to blow the whistle and let them know it was also my birthday. That meant they brought two moosehead hats with horns out for us to wear while they sang happy birthday and took a picture of each of us. Now that was not expected.... The hat was only a few moments, but the picture traps that memory forever....yikes. Oh well, all in the fun of things! It was good to get out and be with some other people/friends for awhile.
I don't know if it's this weather, or the way I've been feeling, or just a lot of the stress in my life, but I've been feeling a little down and just wanting to curl up and stay home lately. Somehow my life doesn't let me do that...which perhaps it for the best. (well sometimes)
Anyway, I just wanted to try and write something down. Guess it was just another day in my life!
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Changes
Hi folks,
I'm not really sure who is going to even read any of my blogs. I'm having a time just trying to figure out how to even get back on here and find the place to post the blogs. I suppose the more I use it, the easier it will become. It amazes me how easily my lovely young daughter picks these things up and does them. I can't believe she's actually a teenager. Where did the years go to?
It's really kewl to see some different people on here that I know. As of yet I have not passed on my blog site, but in time...
Does anyone ever wonder what they did before computers came out and people were able to come to places like this to share things with complete strangers? I always enjoyed writing letters and I found myself reaching out and finding penpals in various places all over the world. Back then I had to use a pen & paper and write out my letter, and post in via snail mail, then wait for the person I wrote to get it and eventually respond to me. I'm still writing a few people that way, but I must admit I've been won over by the computer and the quick, convenience of it. Well at least once you know what you're doing. Now I just email a lot of different people all over, or keep in touch via chat lines. I still keep in touch with a few of the original people I started writing to over 25 years ago as well. Ya, that dates me, but I haven't worried about hiding my age. I hope there are some other 'oldies' out there in blogger land.
I've always enjoyed writing, and I do have a few regrets that I wasn't able to pursue a career in it earlier in my life. It would have been nice to have taken a course in journalism, or perhaps written for a newspaper...maybe even travelled abroad covering headline news. When I look back to my younger days, I often wonder why back then I really didn't know what I wanted to do with my life. I made choices, and started a family. Despite a lot of difficult times and many changes in my life, I will never regret having my 3 lovely children. I certainly have regrets about the way I've sometimes done things, but I can't go back and undo them. All I can do is to take things "One day at a time", and try to change things the best I can with each new day.
Happy Blogging to everyone out there!!
I'm not really sure who is going to even read any of my blogs. I'm having a time just trying to figure out how to even get back on here and find the place to post the blogs. I suppose the more I use it, the easier it will become. It amazes me how easily my lovely young daughter picks these things up and does them. I can't believe she's actually a teenager. Where did the years go to?
It's really kewl to see some different people on here that I know. As of yet I have not passed on my blog site, but in time...
Does anyone ever wonder what they did before computers came out and people were able to come to places like this to share things with complete strangers? I always enjoyed writing letters and I found myself reaching out and finding penpals in various places all over the world. Back then I had to use a pen & paper and write out my letter, and post in via snail mail, then wait for the person I wrote to get it and eventually respond to me. I'm still writing a few people that way, but I must admit I've been won over by the computer and the quick, convenience of it. Well at least once you know what you're doing. Now I just email a lot of different people all over, or keep in touch via chat lines. I still keep in touch with a few of the original people I started writing to over 25 years ago as well. Ya, that dates me, but I haven't worried about hiding my age. I hope there are some other 'oldies' out there in blogger land.
I've always enjoyed writing, and I do have a few regrets that I wasn't able to pursue a career in it earlier in my life. It would have been nice to have taken a course in journalism, or perhaps written for a newspaper...maybe even travelled abroad covering headline news. When I look back to my younger days, I often wonder why back then I really didn't know what I wanted to do with my life. I made choices, and started a family. Despite a lot of difficult times and many changes in my life, I will never regret having my 3 lovely children. I certainly have regrets about the way I've sometimes done things, but I can't go back and undo them. All I can do is to take things "One day at a time", and try to change things the best I can with each new day.
Happy Blogging to everyone out there!!
Monday, September 13, 2004
Taking things one day at a time!
Ok this is my first attempt at trying to put together something in this world of blog. Thanks Mike for introducing me to it. I think you're an amazing guy and I've really enjoyed reading your many stories and escapades with your family & friends. What a kewl idea being able to journal and fill people in on things and keep in touch.
As my title says, I try to live my life..."taking things one day at a time". We never know what tomorrow might bring or if we'll live to see it come. Perhaps tomorrow will be the day when Christ returns to take home His children. Life holds so many new and different things, along with many stressful situations & difficulties. Sometimes it's hard to get thro' them all, but I have to keep saying and believing that with God, all things are possible. As I go thro' life taking things one day at a time, I have to keep trusting in my blessed Savior to see me thro' whatever the day brings.
I have to say I have developed some amazing and wonderful friends thro' the years when I started writing to penfriends I found listed in a magazine, and since then I've found many more via the internet and thro' a few groups I've joined. I have also made some very special and close friends thro' the people in my church. Many of these people have helped me to understand the true bonds of friendship and I am so thankful for these people in my life.
I hope I'm able to share with them thro' this site. Blessings to all!
As my title says, I try to live my life..."taking things one day at a time". We never know what tomorrow might bring or if we'll live to see it come. Perhaps tomorrow will be the day when Christ returns to take home His children. Life holds so many new and different things, along with many stressful situations & difficulties. Sometimes it's hard to get thro' them all, but I have to keep saying and believing that with God, all things are possible. As I go thro' life taking things one day at a time, I have to keep trusting in my blessed Savior to see me thro' whatever the day brings.
I have to say I have developed some amazing and wonderful friends thro' the years when I started writing to penfriends I found listed in a magazine, and since then I've found many more via the internet and thro' a few groups I've joined. I have also made some very special and close friends thro' the people in my church. Many of these people have helped me to understand the true bonds of friendship and I am so thankful for these people in my life.
I hope I'm able to share with them thro' this site. Blessings to all!
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