Life Around Us

Ok, so I'll admit I have no reason for this image other than I like it & I LOVE oceans!  As my parents can attest, as a child I would gleefully shout/demand that Jacque Cousteau was on TV (PBS of course)!  I couldn't pronounce his name properly as I was about 3 yrs old but my love of oceans has remained!

The more we learn about the oceans and what creatures live at different depths and how they communicate within their own groups is AMAZING! We know more about outer space than we do about our own oceans!  But for me, it is in the learning of how these different species live & thrive under great duress than fascinates me.  We think we are the pinnacle of life, yet it seems we are not as open minded to what we can learn from other species.

Then that takes me to, well what are we missing about understanding each other as humans?  We definitely have different groups who communicate differently with each other yet we try to help & understand each other.  But do we do enough?  Are we doing all we can to learn about, honor & integrate the best of all our differences so we can learn from each other & grow to be better images of God?  God created everyone & everything in the world, universe, multiverse- which means we are ALL the Beloved!  So how do we live that out to our best?

That is really the question isn't it?  For me, I suffer from extreme anxiety/depression, so I do yoga, I pray a lot (a LOT) and I not only use scripture but publications such as "Mindfulness" to help me find a balance in my life.  Granted, it's a work in progress, but growing closer to God is always a work in progress.

For me, learning more about life around us & trying to understand how these different lives work together helps me see God in everything.  Whether it be in the oceans, land or in the multiverse, there is so much God has to teach us about how to live & more importantly how to live & love all those around us.

This weekend I have the honor to meet up w/ some wonderful friends & share a meal.  I hope you will be with friends as well.

Friends

There are times in life where everything is great & other times where you feel lost.  The one constant I have found in life are my friends.  They are there to support me when I am in a low spot and there to celebrate when things are going wonderfully.  I can only hope that I am there in the same way for them as well.

The tide will always come in & out & sometimes the seas are rough but other times they are bountiful, but the sea is always there (for now according to scientists!).  That is how I feel about my friends!  I have a tight knit group of friends who make sure we gather for a meal a few times/year to stay in touch & support each other.  Tomorrow I'm going to see one of my closest friends.  She has been there for me in my darkest times and is always supportive and encouraging!  I feel like I owe her so much more than I've given her.  But we are always there to listen to each other, to be silly with each other and everything in-between.  I have been blessed with having more friends than I realize.  I'm not the most cuddly or trusting of people, I often prefer solitude.  Yet time & again people reach out when I need them the most. 

Sometimes I just need to sit in silence w/ another being, knowing we don't have to speak- rather to just be.  Other times I want someone to laugh with to watch a funny movie or just giggle!  Other times I need to cry, maybe for a reason, maybe not.  Just to know I'm not alone as I tend to think I want to be but in reality I don't always want to be.

Be sure to reach out to your friends & let them know how much they mean to you!  Because mine- keep me sane... well, as sane as I can get!  :-)  For them, I am a very loved person!  How awesome is that!?!

New Challenges = New Opportunities

This image says it all!  I'm on a new adventure!  I was crushed & scared when my position as Religion teacher was eliminated where I work.  However, I was offered a new position (2 actually).  I am now the Director of Development & Marketing at the same organization as well as part of the Pastoral Staff at the Church therein.  Since I know computers & databases it has become more than I anticipated and it's essentially 2 full time jobs!

That's scary but at the same time it's exciting to be doing something new that utilizes parts of my education that I haven't overtly used in a long time.  Sure one MUST know how to strategize & market when it comes to running large programs & I do that quite well (not being egotistical).  It will take me some time to get a handle on things and get into a groove/pattern/schedule, but that's where the challenge/opportunity comes in!  To use my gifts in new ways, to continually be learning- I LOVE THAT!

Am I nervous!?!  Sure, I'd be silly not to be, but that is what makes it exciting!  I have been lucky that I work with so many nice people- that is truly a blessing!  I won't be able to see my kids like I did before but that's ok, just being able to stay in touch will be great!

It's been over a year since I've written on my blog and I hope to change that.  Writing this is cathartic and helps me see the good & the God in everything I do, you do, we all do b/c God IS in us all.  We are all the Beloved and this is my reminder not to take that for granted!

Wish me luck, pray for me as I pray for you!

Peace!