Blessed Silence ~ Love

Time to sit in silence, blessed silence. Allow my spirit to let peace and tranquility dwell within me.
My imagination wanders the pathways of my mind, open to hearing God’s whispers.

The word Love comes floating in. What do I do with that? Send my special angel out to touch the souls of every person I love, whether family, friends, acquaintances, or strangers I meet along the way.

Life is so much more beautiful when we love others, even strangers, whatever their race, creed, culture, or any difference from ourselves. We are all children of God.

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Life Changes and Blessings

I have not been writing for a long time, even though I’ve had more than enough time since May 2021.  The previous few years I was temping with our local Police Department Recruiting office,  my favorite job ever.  I’ve had many changes in my life, but with the worldwide pandemic, it changed my life again forever.

May 20, 2021 was my last day of the assignment as I finished work on the most recent batch of applicants.  Never to be called back again, due to more changes in the department.

The Covid pandemic caused quarantines around the world and ultimately many things brought a wave of changes in our personal, societal, and professional lives.  New normal.  Some good, some not so much.

Having to get unemployment was good on one hand, not so good on the other.  Not being able to travel, even to see family and friends outside of our own locations was sad.  Thankfully in late 2021 my brother and I were able to visit each other in the different states we live in.  I also got to visit friends in another state.

It is over a year now since my last assignment.  I actually like not having a job, except for running low on finances.

I love being able to spend more time with friends, available to help someone when in need, and having coffee then a walk with one of my dear friends most every week.  It is great having time to read, rest my body/mind/spirit, and mostly quiet time with God.

I am very blessed and grateful for my life, the people in my life, and pretty good health.  My ability to help others, however I can, is a blessing.  As changes are a part of life I continue to trust in God’s love and mercy to show me His way forward.

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The Greatest Gift

The greatest gift of all is God’s gift to us, His son Jesus.  Thank you God, and Happy Birthday Jesus.

Remembering that He was born to give the gift of His life for our sins…that we are forgiven…let us give ourselves and others the gift of forgiveness.

It is “Time for Letting Go”   https://amarquette333.wordpress.com/2010/12/20/time-for-letting-go/  and you will be richly blessed.

Baby Jesus Photo by Jeswin Thomas on Pexels.com

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REFLECTION ON LOVE AND FORGIVENESS

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Having this strange time, due to Covid-19 quarantining, gives us the opportunity to reflect, and dream. 

My thoughts go to how important it is to love and forgive.  To love everyone, no matter what.  We may not like what some people do or think; some of their choices, but they are still God’s children.

I wonder who in my life I might have hurt in some way.  It is probably everyone who is or was in my life.  How do I ask for forgiveness when I don’t know what I may have said or done to hurt them?  Maybe it’s what I didn’t do or say.

Turning the tables, I wonder who I might have forgotten to forgive, even if only for a perceived hurt.  Thinking about that, how many of us have made bad choices in our lives and never realized how those choices my have had ripple affects in the lives of others.

Our thoughts, our words are powerful and can affect others even if we and they don’t realize it.

That is when we really need to lovingly forgive others, in our hearts, minds, and spirits.  Remember God forgives and loves us all.

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I have a Dream

This was written long before our World’s current pandemic and America’s nationwide protests. I knew long ago there was a need for that special place, a peaceful HOME filled with LOVE, not hate and greed.  I don’t mean home as a house, but a place…

God Help us…

Sunset Moonstone Beach, Cambria CA by Ann Marquette

I have a dream ~
A special place
Called HOME

I have a dream ~
That special place
Where peace and joy
Fill the hearts of all

I have a dream ~
That special place
Where heart smiles
Shine through the eyes of all

I have a dream ~
That special place
Where caring and love
Are gifted to all

I have a dream ~
That special place
Where LOVE IS
and
Dreams come true

Created June 18, 2009
Edited May 4, 2015

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It’s Raining

It is raining outside. Well, I know I don’t need to add the word “outside” since where else would it rain. Inside?! Maybe, if there is a hole in the roof, or the window is open and the wind is blowing the rain in.

The rain is reminding me of the movie “Singin In The Rain” where Gene Kelly is dancing and singing in the rain.  That looks like fun.  It is a happy song, and his reason for singing and dancing in the rain.  

Maybe this will bring a smile to your face!  

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My Christmas message

Let us remember the purpose of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Image via Wikipedia

It’s fun to give and get gifts as part of the celebration, but not at the expense of going into debt to do so.

We can  find ways to give the gift of ourselves to others by helping them in some specific way, meaningful to them.  Help someone in need, someone you don’t even know.

The most important part of celebrating Christmas, is by simply sharing a special time and a meal with friends and family.

Don’t get me wrong, I love giving gifts, when I can, even some small meaningful item.  For parents it is hard when they can’t afford to give gifts to their children.  I remember a time when me and my brother were young and our parents explained that we would only get one gift that Christmas because money was tight.  I don’t recall us being upset at all, we understood.

This is my early Christmas message to each and every one of you~

I wish for all of you throughout this special time…wisdom, peace, joy, caring, kindness, love for all, and safety.  I wish you many blessings this Christmas, and Hanukkah to my Jewish friends, and throughout the New Year.

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My Autumn

Autumn Leaves – Greenville Falls Park

Autumn has always been my favorite season. One Autumn a few years ago was extra special.

The tree colors in the city where I lived were more glorious than I had seen them before.

More wonderful, special people had come into my life…even if briefly. My heart used to hurt so much, when people who came into my life, and I would have liked to keep them there, but they would go out again; not for any bad reason, just life.

As I think about these special souls who come in and out of my life, I realize something magical about some of them. They have had unstable or life-threatening sad beginnings to their lives. Yet they and God knew they needed to be in this world of ours. They are living proof of miracles, and strength, goodness and love. These souls create moments of magic in other people’s lives…they have in mine. I think of them as elusive Unicorns who pass through my life reminding me that I have a loving heart. And even though my heart breaks when they leave, I know another will come along to fill that empty space even for a little while.

Maybe it was that Autumn when I learned to be at peace with letting people come in and out of my life as they needed or wanted. This time of year seems to be a beautiful time for Letting Go, to allow myself to become A Blank Slate in order to allow for healing and new beginnings.

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Magic in a Book Store

Another beautiful experience in my local hangout, Barnes and Noble.  I have been sitting here with earbuds in listening to beautiful music and reading.  Suddenly a little boy with blond hair came up to my table.  Cute as can be.  His mom smiled and walked him away.  I smiled at him.

Finally I had to go to the restroom.  When I came out and heading into the main part of the store I saw him and his mom again, several feet away, but facing me.  He started walking toward me.  I smiled and held my arms out. Immediately he held his arms out and ran into mine and let me pick him up!!!

What a joy.  His mom smiled.  He is 2 and a half years old with wispy blond hair.  His name is Brody.

Brody made my Heart Smile.  And now when I think of him my heart has the biggest, warmest smile.

Thank you Brody. 

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My Autumn

Autumn Leaves – Greenville Falls Park 

Autumn has always been my favorite season. One Autumn a few years ago was extra special.

The tree colors in the city where I lived were more glorious than I had seen them before.

More wonderful, special people had come into my life…even if briefly. My heart used to hurt so much, when people who came into my life, and I would have liked to keep them there, but they would go out again; not for any bad reason, just life.

As I think about these special souls who come in and out of my life, I realize something magical about some of them. They have had unstable or life-threatening sad beginnings to their lives. Yet they and God knew they needed to be in this world of ours. They are living proof of miracles, and strength, goodness and love. These souls create moments of magic in other people’s lives…they have in mine. I think of them as elusive Unicorns who pass through my life reminding me that I have a loving heart. And even though my heart breaks when they leave, I know another will come along to fill that empty space even for a little while.

Maybe it was that Autumn when I learned to be at peace with letting people come in and out of my life as they needed or wanted. This time of year seems to be a beautiful time for Letting Go, to allow myself to become A Blank Slate in order to allow for healing and new beginnings.

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Labor Day 2017

My Thoughts on this Labor Day 2017 as I am happily spending time in my local BN Café.

The only men in my life who really loved me. My Dad, and my high school boyfriend Johnny. And, the one who is alive…my brother, John who is also a best friend.
Johnny and I met through our church youth group while in high school. We became fast friends. He had asthma, and this was back in the 60s when there was no medicine for it like there is now.

He lived, probably a good 5 miles from where I lived. Usually one of his parents would drop him off at my house so he could spend time with us (me). When they couldn’t he would walk the miles to come see me; one day even in the rain without an umbrella! Some times when he could not come because of his asthma he would call and we would talk a long time on the phone. And, he would often play the piano for me over the phone. He was an amazing pianist and even wrote a beautiful piece which was going to be recorded! It reminded me of a beautiful waterfall. It was never recorded because the next summer Johnny died. I was devastated.
********************
Each time I come to BN Café lately I read a few pages of the latest issue of BELLA GRACE. Right now I can’t afford to buy it. I just turned the page to the next article “You are Loved!” Recently I have been sensing a feeling of what it might be like to have God’s best man for me in my life; almost as if it could actually happen. I don’t feel any need to have one, and definitely not looking. So it is strange to get this feeling just out of the blue.

A moment ago inside of a bubble of sensing something wonderful there was a hint of a tear in my soul. Don’t know if a sad tear or a happy one.
Even with my headphones on listening to music from Pandora I love watching the variety of people who come to this popular café and vaguely watch and listen to life going on around me.

Couples sitting together, but doing their own thing i.e. reading by whatever means they have chosen, doing crosswords etc. Some writing, working on a laptop or tablet, daydreaming, or chatting with others. Such an interesting mix of people. I love it all.

I like sitting next to the window wall. Often when a parent is walking past with their children, a child will look at me and smile as she is passing. Of course I smile back. It warms my spirit.

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Sharing ~ Bella Grace & Love Letter to a Single Friend

A couple months ago I opened a current issue of Bella Grace, a magazine of inspiration and part journal.  Love this publication. It is only three years old, but it will be around for a very long time.  Wish I would have noticed it much sooner.  It inspires and encourages calm, peaceful, simpler living; and appreciation, respect, and love of others.

I also receive the blog Grace Notes, and today read an awesome post by Elle Harris “Love Letter to a Single Friend.”  It can be for someone who never found that special someONE, or did but lost them, even anyone to realize the importance of the gift of them to others who love them.  It is beautifully written and I hope you will take a few minutes to read it then pass it on to others in your life.

http://bellagracemagazine.com/blog/love-letter-to-a-single-friend/

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A “Broken” Heart!

Recently I was reading my devotionals and a key word kept coming up…HEART, and I began to think of broken hearts.

A Broken Heart is usually thought of regarding the emotion of love lost…either through a breakup or death. But what about a physically broken heart, one that cannot beat properly and needs a pacemaker, a defibrillator, or even a surgical bypass.

Over the years I’ve had many of the emotional kind.

Some years ago after being hospitalized for tests to check my heart after an anxiety episode the cardiologist informed me my heart was that of a 16 year old. So, this recent ambulance trip to the ER, even though I thought I was having a major anxiety attach, brought shocking news that my heart was in Afib (atrial fibrilation), and after being moved to the hospital’s other campus to its cardiology unit I was informed I would need a pacemaker. I now have a physically broken heart, and internal scars wrapped around the wires to the pacemaker all to keep my heart beating properly. After several years the little mechanical device will wear out and the doctor will have to replace it with a new one.

How do we heal the emotional broken heart! Time and prayer. God is the only one who can heal that brokenness, and He may do so in a variety of ways. But first He will help us to healing within ourselves. We do need to love ourselves before we can truly love others.

My big question is, where is our emotional heart. Surely those “heartfelt” feelings don’t actually come from the physical heart in our bodies. Where did the idea of the emotional heart come from. So I Googled the question.

https://www.heartmath.org/articles-of-the-heart/science-of-the-heart/making-emotions/ 
“McCraty explains that research has shown changes in heart-rhythm patterns clearly reflect when an individual is experiencing positive or negative emotions. For example, the research shows, sustained positive emotions are associated with a noticeably coherent, smooth and balanced heart-rhythm pattern. In contrast, negative emotions are reflected by a jagged, erratic pattern.”

Hmm! So, was my physical heart broken after too many sad and stressful times? Maybe. But, now I am in this place in my life and I must do what I can, with God’s help, to continue working on healing me, emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. I continue to be a work in progress 

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April 1st ~ HEART continued

The great blessing during the first four days of April and after are the people who were and are there for me. As I lay in the first ER, before hearing the shocking news of being in afib I had texted my friend and neighbor Catherine, and a friend from church, Philomena. They both arrived quickly and almost the same time. What a comfort and help they were; and still a comfort by being my good friends.
During my stay in the Telemetry area of the other hospital several others came to see me. All offered to help in any way I needed. Thank you Paula, Ann, Ed and Carolyn, Tammy and David, Carole and Dan. My friend Judy came to spend time with me, especially the day of the procedure to connect the pacemaker to my heart’s electrical system! And she came the next morning to be with me until I was discharged, then drove me home making sure I was ok before she left.
My brother arrived from Michigan a few hours after I got home, and he stayed with me for two weeks. I wasn’t able to drive that first two weeks so he drove. As he was there over Easter we had a lovely Easter brunch at a nice local restaurant. I love him so much, and thank God for bringing him into my life.
I went back to work part time the week after I got home from hospital and the staff were awesome and caring. It did me good to get back, even part time to have my mind on something else. Between that and my brother being here with me those first two weeks I know it helped my recovery.
It is 3 months since and I am doing good. Feeling like a new person and in wonderment each day as I feel and think differently. Amazing how something that seems so bad can turn out to be so good.
Thank you God.

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Where Do I Go From Here

I wrote this early December 2016.  I thought it would be a longer piece of its own, but it seems like it was the beginning of a new journey!  Maybe!

Currently I am reading Heaven by Randy Acorn, Mere Christianity by CS Lewis, for Church – Divine Renovation by Father James Mallon, and finished Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert.
This fits in with my #3 Strength – Intellection. I love reading and learning, and much of it inspires my Futuristic strength. I don’t like to rush through reading these types of books. As I read a little at a time I sometimes find similar or identical thoughts by the different authors, even when the theme of their books differ.
I’ve been transitioning within myself most of my life. I’ve lived in many places including abroad, and travelled quite a bit, so I think I have a little gypsy in me. A few years ago I realized I must have been searching for HOME when I happened on Greenville SC. I thought it was just a great place to make day trips and occasional weekends away from where I was living at the time. Then one day I realized it was THE PLACE where I felt AT HOME. A few years later I was able to move here.
Greenville is not perfect as a city, not paradise, but it is a wonderful, blessed place to live; and make wonderful new friends and friendly acquaintances.
The various temp jobs were great while waiting for a great permanent part-time job. They afforded me the joy of meeting more great people. I don’t need to be rich, but I do need to have the extra quality personal time to read, learn, be inspired, and write.
Where do I go from here?
I continue to transition into better habits and see my path to a more creative life.
It’s a busy time of year. In addition to the normal life things to deal with there is a new lease contract to read through, and health insurance notices/updates for the coming new year to read through!!! Those are not things I like doing, but they have to be done. There are things at church I am involved in, social responsibilities, and working full time contract work with the City of Greenville again until some time next year.
Until things settle down within the job and life stuff I find it is difficult to take the quality time I need to get through more reading, and back to writing on a regular basis. Oh well the time will come.

Until next post..love and blessings to all.  May you all find your own path.

Lovely Entrance Exit by Ann Marquette

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