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REFLECTIONS OF A MINDFUL HEART AND SOUL

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REFLECTIONS OF A MINDFUL HEART  AND SOUL

Monthly Archives: January 2019

A Child Wonders Why.

30 Wednesday Jan 2019

Posted by Yu/stan/kema in photo, Poetry, spirituality

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Child asking questions, God shows us He loves us., love, Mother love, Pinterest photo. Painting of Vicente Romero, Poetry by Yu/stan/kema., Polly Weitering Art Paintings., rain, stars, sun

“Mama, Why do the stars shine bright

Above us at night?”

“God gives us flashlights to guide us

So we’ll be alright.”

 

“Why does the sun come and go                                       

Found on Pinterest on 5-30-17. Painting of Vicente Romero. Polly Weitering Art Paintings.

Every day we are here?”

“God let’s us know He’s faithful.

Though invisible, He’s  near.”

 

“Mama, Why does the rain fall

And where does it go?”

“God waters the flowers, trees, and grass

Because He loves them so.”

 

“Will you always love me, Mama,

No matter what I do?”

“Always my child, forever and ever,

Just as God loves us too.”

Yu/stan/kema

Poems That Often Reflect One’s Life.#2: “You Never Can Tell,” by Ella Wheeler Wilcox.

23 Wednesday Jan 2019

Posted by Yu/stan/kema in Article., Poetry, Psychology, spirituality, Uncategorized

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actions, and thoughts., Article by Yu/stan/kema., Being responsible., Building a Country, Changing words, Everyone participates, Poem: "You Never Can Tell.", What kind of Country do I want to build., Written by Ella Wheeler Wilcox.

What Kind Of Country Do I Want To Build?

Most of the time, I think in terms of where I want to live. In the last two years, I  became aware that I was focusing on the wrong thing. I should have asked instead, “What kind of Country do I want to build?” No matter where I go or live, I can choose to help create what kind of Country I want. A Country is made up of people, values, a way of life, and an image of what it stands for. A Country also has resources and it makes decisions on how it divides the resources among its population. It determines what should be done when strangers approach.

In the past, people became involved in what was being built. Each person was encouraged to participate in the process whether it was a barn raising, forming a Church, starting a school, or collectively meeting together to decide on values to uphold and rules all should abide by. The schools, churches, and homes were aware they needed to be instruments in informing others what the boundaries would be, the rules to be obeyed, the values upheld, and how other people would be treated.

Somewhere along the way, we became distracted by the internet, the cell phones, and allowing the media to reflect back to us its views of what was acceptable behavior, what words to use, and how to treat other people. We became slaves of time. We stopped building and was content to let others take the responsibility of deciding for us what kind of Country we would live in. As a result, we ended up living in a place where chaos was normal and peace was hard to find. Owning up to your own mistakes became a rarity. Blaming others for everything, and treating minorities with no respect became the new normal. Hatred and dividing others became goals. Parents gave up or were too tired to teach children how to behave,what to expect, and what values to claim and live by. We stopped building our Country and became passive.

To build again will take everyone deciding and changing his words, his actions, and his thoughts. Each person needs to see how he influences and impacts others. Ella Wheeler Wilcox wrote about this in a poem: “You Never Can Tell.” Here are a few last stanzas of the poem:

“You never can tell when you do an act

Just what the result will be,

But with every deed you are sowing a seed,

Though the harvest you may not see.

Each kindly act is an acorn dropped

In God’s productive soil;

You may not know, but the tree shall grow

With shelter for those who toil.

 

You never can tell what your thoughts will do

In bringing you hate or love,

For thoughts are things, and their airy wings

Are swifter than carrier doves.

They follow the law of the universe,

Each thing must create its kind,

And they speed o’er the track to bring you back

Whatever went out from your mind.”

ELLA WHEELER WILCOX

 

Yu/stan/kema

Navigating The Obstacles Of Growing Old.

20 Sunday Jan 2019

Posted by Yu/stan/kema in Article., Psychology, spirituality, Uncategorized

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Article written by Yu/stan/kema., Growing old., Obstacles and benefits in aging.

No one has the courage to tell you about the perils of growing old. You have to learn about them the hard way, through personal experience, and by then, it’s too late. Growing old is “not a piece of cake.” It lasts for years and some years are filled with losses, more than a body can bear.

First of all, after the age of 60, I started to notice muscles and skin sagging underneath My chin. I knew if I did nothing, the skin flap would increase in size and would wobble to and fro if I walked. The thought sent tremors up and down my spine. An icicle of fear threatened to stab me through the heart. Who wants to look like a turkey gobbler? I don’t know a single friend who would jump at the chance to look like one. Ever since I looked in the mirror, I have been religiously grimacing in bed  or in front of the TV. It works wonders in tightening up the neck. I don’t do it in front of other people, if you were wondering.

Secondly, just when my hair was looking perfect, it started turning gray, and single hair strands started falling from my head into the bathroom sink. Without fail, it was a weekly occurrence. Just my luck, I thought, to end up with pink gaps in my hair. I learned to be creative when combing and parting my hair  to hide the hairless spots.

Thirdly, my skin became thin and dry.  Bumping it, made it bleed. I now carry a first aid kit in my purse. My skin began to itch like crazy. Taking hot showers made it worse. I found drinking water helped and slathering plenty of skin lotion daily keeps the skin moist. Brown spots became more prevalent. Some people use milk or lemon juice to lighten the spots. Mine just kept coming, so I had to accept the fact they would be with me always. I moved on to more interesting things in life.

Fourth, in growing old, I learned to listen to my body. When your body tells you to go, drop everything and run like hell. Don’t hesitate or stop to chat. Treat it like an emergency, because it is. I learned kneeling or bending down for too long can cause my joints to freeze. They also have a tendency to snap, crackle, and pop. Sitting in a chair is quieter. My balance became worse as I grew older. I had a tendency to bump into doorways. My eyesight started to fade and I had cataract surgery. I started to read less.

Fifth, My fine motor skills took a hit as I grew older. I started dropping things I picked up. It took me an hour to thread a needle. Eating became more of a challenge. Putting  food in my mouth was tricky. Keeping my clothes clean was an ordeal. I even considered carrying a bib with me, but I had too much pride. Ladies don’t wear bibs in a restaurant, I told myself. 

Sixth, I found my energy level decreasing. I would try to read or watch TV and fall asleep. I would go to the store and shop for groceries. If I was tired, I would fall asleep pushing my cart. I slept less at night and ate two meals a day instead of three. My taste buds changed. As a result, I am no longer addicted to chocolate.

Last, my memory suffered as the years passed. Once a whiz at multitasking, I now had trouble talking and driving at the same time. I sometimes misplaced my glasses to find them later sitting on my nose. I have at times questioned whether I had fed the dogs, or misplaced my keys. I have chatted with a friend on the phone and when interrupted, I could not remember what we were talking about. Overtime, I learned to set up strategies to deal with the obstacles I had in aging.

Growing old has benefits. Past memories often come as real as a flashback. The sights and sounds of memories with my son as a child are so vivid. I became introspective and more mindful of my surroundings. I asked questions, valued relationships, and took time to be present. I wanted my life to have meaning. I searched for God daily, took the time to help others, and became increasingly aware of how much I did not know. I cared less about what others opinions were of me, and I listened more to the real me. I am becoming less enslaved by time, and I am slowly accepting the process of growing older.

Yu/stan/kema.

 

The Sweet Gifts Of Gratitude.

14 Monday Jan 2019

Posted by Yu/stan/kema in Uncategorized

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REFLECTIONS OF A MINDFUL HEART AND SOUL

Found on Pinterest on 9-21-16. Saved from peacefulafricandaisues.blogspot.com. Found on Pinterest on 9-21-16. Saved from peacefulafricandaisues.blogspot.com.

The Sweet Gifts Of Gratitude

Praise God for the morning,

Bright with the rising sun; 

And all the trees around me,

Waiting for Spring to come.

Praise God for my simple house

That serves as a shelter,

To protect me from life’s storms

And acts as a filter.

Praise God for my loyal friends,

Who stay and support me;

They fill my life with joy,

And allow me to be free.

Praise God for the goodness,                        

Found on Pinterest on 1-25-17. also on plus google.com. Yan L. Photography. Found on Pinterest on 1-25-17. also on plus google.com. Yan L. Photography.

I find in another’s heart,

When I reach out in friendship

After being pulled apart.

Praise God for the evening,                               

When sweet darkness falls;

Even though the…

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Being Strong Has It’s Ups and Downs.

12 Saturday Jan 2019

Posted by Yu/stan/kema in Article., Psychology, spirituality, Uncategorized

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Tags

Acceptance of our humanity., Article by Yu/stan/kema., Ups and Downs Of Being Strong.

We love people who are strong and positive; those who can cope effectively with difficult circumstances; and we often admire those who don’t cry. We need to have people we can lean on when the world falls apart. We respect people who are fighters and who refuse to quit. We need our heroes and people who inspire us to be the best we can be. The truly strong can accept responsibility when things go wrong. They don’t complain and actively try to solve problems.

In return, the strong feel confident they can survive because of the pain they have endured. They feel others look up to them, need them, and want them to take control. The strong know their role is not to be a burden, but a blessing to society. They know they can rely on themselves when things get dicey. They have learned how to confront their fears and regulate their emotions.

There are downsides to being strong. People tend to rely on the strong to always be there, and to step in when there is a crisis.  They are often used by others and end up in one-sided relationships. They are expected to play a certain role and  when they fail to play the role, they may lose relationships or be shamed until they return to their expected role.   

Because they are human, the face of strength cracks. The strong feel they can’t be their real selves or share sincere emotions. If they cry or reach out for help, they fear other people will stop needing them or wanting them. Often, the strong suffer in silence.

It is up to each one of us to make the effort to give back to those who give so much to us, to offer help when we see they are struggling, to show appreciation after they help us, to let them know that it is OK to reach out for help, and to communicate with us when they feel isolated and alone.

We all need people who are strong, but they also need our acceptance when they need help. The strong give so much to the world. They deserve better from us.

Yu/stan/kema.

A Book Review: ” I Am What the Bible Says I Am.” Jake and Keith Provance.

06 Sunday Jan 2019

Posted by Yu/stan/kema in Article., Books, spirituality

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"I Am What the Bible Says I Am.", Authors: Jake and Keith Provance., Being a child of God., Book review by Yu/stan/kema., Characteristics of a child of God., One's self worth and sense of identity.

Jake and Keith Provance wrote an intriguing little book about one’s identity as a child of God. As a human being, a person’s identity is influenced by the people he grew up with such as parents, grandparents, other extended family members, friends, and Church members. Their opinions mattered to him and often became imprinted in his mind and heart for years. His identity was also formed by what he could accomplish or not accomplish and by comparing himself to others to gain a sense of self-worth. Comparing one-self to others can become destructive. His own perceived self-worth often caused him to judge himself more harshly than others judged him.

The authors wrote this book giving us a different perspective on how God sees us. They wrote that when one becomes a child of God by surrendering and believing in Him and telling others he chooses to follow God, he takes on a new identity and God’s Word gives him a set of rules to follow when he becomes new in Christ.

The authors of, I Am What the Bible Says I Am, listed seventeen characteristics one develops as a child of God: A new identity through choice and a commitment to become more like Christ in one’s actions and attitudes; freedom from the past and desires that were not beneficial by relying on God’s strength to help him; strength through God to overcome obstacles with joy; becoming a light for those in darkness by giving them hope things can get better; overcoming anything with God in him and the power of the Holy Spirit; being wanted by God even if he is not perfect because of God’s unconditional acceptance of him; and being chosen by God long before he chose God. A child of God allows God to play an important role in his life.

Jake and Keith Provance wrote: a child of God is forgiven for past, present, and future sins through Christ’s sacrifice and not because of the good works he does; God’s love can’t be taken away or earned; a child of God is an ambassador, God’s representative; he has redemption; he is complete in Christ; he is protected by God; he can conquer anything with God; God wants him to prosper; he is a temple of the Holy Spirit who will teach him all things; and he is rooted in God’s love and His Word.

I Am What the Bible Says I Am is a thin book that is easy to read and understand. It is thought-provoking because one sees so clearly the need for good, loving families in order to help a person become a child of God and believe it. For someone who grows up in an abusive household or neglect, he would have to overcome more obstacles in learning to trust God, and believe he is loved by Him and that his sins can be forgiven.

Yu/stan/kema


Provance, Jake; and Provance, Keith.2017. I Am What the Bible Says I Am. Tulsa, Oklahoma,74170. Word and Spirit Publishing.

 

Poems That Often Reflect One’s Life, #1: “A Bag Of Tools.”

04 Friday Jan 2019

Posted by Yu/stan/kema in photo, Poetry, Psychology, quote, spirituality, Uncategorized

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Books, people., Poem by R.L. Sharpe., Poem- "A Bag Of Tools.", Quote from Yu/stan/kema, Things we touch are building stones., We are building stones for others.

A BAG OF TOOLS

Isn’t it strange

That princes and kings,

And clowns that caper

In sawdust rings,

And common people

Like you and me

Are builders for eternity.

 

Each is given a bag of tools,

A shapeless mass,

A book of rules;

And each must make—

Ere life is flown—

A stumbling block

Or a stepping stone.

R.L. SHARPE

” In college, as I reflected back on my life at that time, I became aware that who I had become was a result of everything I had touched, everything I had read, and the people who I had connected to. My life was a building, and each stone played a part in whether I had a good foundation or not. Some stones crumbled under the weight of obstacles but most stones were strong and made of good material.

As the years passed, I also became aware I was given certain skills, abilities, and it was up to me to continue to shape my life in such a way that I would become a good, strong corner-stone for others in the process of them building their lives. As a parent, as a teacher, as a therapist, it clarified for me my real purpose in living. The above poem, A BAG OF TOOLS, reflects the insight I had.”

Yu/Stan/Kema

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