It's so hard to believe that this past week was the start of Lent! I feel like it was just yesterday that we were celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas. It seems strange to me what a whirlwind my life has been in the past few months. While it is certainly not what I would choose right now, I continue to strive to make the best of each day and to plan for the future. I ask for your thoughts and prayers in the coming weeks as I attempt to transition back to working part-time and make some very important decisions about what the rest of 2012 holds for me both personally and professionally. I've been lucky to find some really great inspirational books that have offered some guidance during this difficult time. I have always been an avid reader and able to very easily relate to things I read in a book. When I was in high-school, I told my Mom that I could learn to drive much easier if I was given an instruction manual and an empty parking lot! Who needs a parent in the front seat? I taught myself how to play the piano and french-braid hair from a book, so why couldn't all my major life lessons be learned from a book? I suppose I can say that I have worked much harder in the past several years to develop my so-called "street smarts," especially after moving hundreds of miles away from my family to a large city! I still continue to find great insight from things I read, especially one particular devotional book that encourages you not to worry about the strength to endure the coming days, weeks, months or years. God will give you the strength and grace sufficient for one day to overcome challenges and to be grateful for the blessings you receive. Each day is a clean slate, a new opportunity to endure, and again, provided with sustaining grace and the relief that you can let go of the insecurities and fears that may stem from thinking past today. Something to consider!
Lent and the Easter season are probably one of my most favorite times of the year, not only spiritually, but personally as well. Maybe it is due to the fact that it coincides with warmer weather, longer days, increased sunshine, and planning for the summer. I used to always try and give up something for Lent as was taught to me very early on in my Catholic education. I have run the gamut of sacrifices including chocolate, candy, gum, soda, soap operas, Facebook, you name it. In the past several years, I have taken a different approach, and tried to do something extra every day as well as attempt to change my perception or way of thinking, especially related to the way I interact with friends, co-workers, and family members. I like having a specific goal to focus on for each day, one that I feel will ultimately bring me closer to God, but also in the end will hopefully help to make me a kinder and gentler person. I hope that this season of Lent, or Spring for my non-religious friends, helps to bring you a renewed sense of purpose, direction, and peace. And for those of my friends who are giving up chocolate and Facebook, I hope Easter rewards you with a giant edible bunny and 150 Facebook notifications!
Another sign of the Spring has been the return of a certain family of geese to my apartment complex. I have no idea where they travel from, as to my knowledge there is not a body of water anywhere in the vicinity of my suburban neighborhood! The geese usually show up in late January, and tend to congregate in several of the grassy areas, sometimes meandering their way towards the playground. Their presence is usually strongly felt by the trail of geese "droppings" they so graciously leave along the walking paths. Last Spring, we welcomed about six little goslings to the complex, sweet little furry things who obediently formed a line and marched their way up the hill to a quieter area. It reminds me of small children in daycare who go on field trips all holding on to one rope! As much as I am fascinated by the geese family, I do not enjoy getting physically close to them. For some reason, I have always been a little unnerved by large geese. I have a vague memory of being chased by one as a child, but that might not be accurate. As I discovered, they appear much more angry looking up close and personal! For now, I'll settle for watching them from the safety of my own car.
To my blog followers, I hope that you experience your own sighting of signs of Spring this week, and take advantage of slightly warmer and longer days. Thank you for continuing to follow me on this journey. I struggle many days with feeling very isolated from those around me, and on my worst days, quite certain that no one will ever understand the frustration I am feeling or what it is like to be me. On my better days, I continue to be very blessed and humbled by those friends and family members who have provided me with unconditional support and encouragement. I am so thankful for the opportunities I have been given, to be in a position to receive excellent medical care, and to have a select few people who have become my surrogate "family" on days when it seems impossible to continue to be so far away from my own. Be kind, speak gently, and blessings to all you love in this world!
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