Out With The Old, In With The New

We are heading to the end of 2020, The Year That Was.  It's almost over thank God, so now what?  As I write, I have been reflecting on this awful year and the creation of this blog.  I'd like to share more of my thoughts as we move forward from today.

The creation of Beginning Again was originally used as therapy. As I've noted, I journal regularly and this blog was to put my journal thoughts into more of a public venue.  It's served it's purpose as I've moved on with my life.  I've put my mindset into making myself open and available for new opportunities.  Frankly, I have learned a lot about myself along this six month journey.  These learning points I'd like to share as they may resonate with others who have traveled this same path.  I may have expressed some of these thoughts in the past but to close out 2020, some may need to be repeated.

The first and most important thing I learned is that I'm okay.  We are all okay, Whole, Perfect and Complete in the eyes of God.  Do not doubt this fact for one minute as God has made all of us in His image and in this image, we are who we are.  This tiger can't change her stripes at this point in life, I can only work to improve myself and try to make the world a little bit better place.  Using the power of my "pen" will be my method as we move forward into 2021.

Secondly, I bounced back from major disappointment and heartache.  I had the rug ripped out from under me so hard, I was left dazed and stunned to say the least.  8 months later, I have a new house, new life, some new friends and my sanity.  Thank you God for the ability to survive.  We all have this same survival instinct.  Use that instinct and common sense to move on.  Trust and listen to that still small voice inside you.  Your Higher Self will never fail you.

Thirdly, I have a backbone of steel.  This blog was originally meant to be about my thoughts on life but it morphed into religion and politics and I found out there are an awful lot of people who disagree with me.  That's okay as we are all entitled to our own opinions and I respect that.  Some of these people however, sadly called me names, were condescending and frankly rude.  I do not need family or friends like them in my life and neither does anyone else.  A Facebook purging is in order as 2021 commences.

Fourth, I'm actually grateful for 2020.  I found peace of mind and a new beginning.  I found out that I could move 500 miles away from my home of 20 years and be at peace.  I also came to understand that only quality people should be allowed in your life . Choose friends who possess honesty, integrity, pure hearts and souls.  I did and won the prize. 

So where does this leave me, all of us as we move into 2021?  I'm officially again calling 2021 The Year of Promise.  With this promise, I will not stop writing my blog, however; I'm not publishing it every week.  As I healed, I came to realize I don't have enough material or imagination to try to carry this out every week.  Starting in January, I'll attempt to publish once a month.  If something more comes up during the month, expect to hear from me.  I do not have the stomach for politics any longer as it has simply nauseated me.   I'll keep those comments in my private chat groups. I've said my peace on that subject and will not waiver in my beliefs.  I am however scared for our country and our society as a whole.  With this being stated, my journey going forward is a spiritual journey.  I'll be expressing my thoughts on a higher plain and hopefully they will resonate. 

So to wrap up 2020, this is my last blog for the year.  The next two weeks will be spent enjoying the Christmas season with friends and Kristina.  I'll be putting together my New Year's Intentions in order to move forward with a happy, healthy heart.  2021, The Year of Promise will be a year of change, a year of new birth and awakening for all of us. I pray for health, happiness and a purpose for living for all my family and friends.  May God bless and keep you.

On New Year’s Day 1979, the Daily Word’s affirmation was “Today is a new beginning.” The accompanying verse was “I press on towards the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:14  ~Amen~

The Gaslighting of America

 As we move into December, we are finally finishing up 2020 The Year That Was.  I have chosen to put 2020 behind me.  Hindsight is 2020 and this is the year I want to look back at in my rearview mirror. Hopefully we never have another year like this one again.  Reflecting back, nothing seems clear or logical, nothing seems frankly remotely possible.  Nothing in 2020 was the real deal, just an illusion, a weird coincidence or just plain false.  We've been spoon fed little bits of truth by social media and Fake News.  They have twisted the truth in to their own reality and have used censorship to stop the flow of real information, logic and common sense.  This my friends is gaslighting.   

The definition of Gaslighting is making people question their judgement and sanity by deceiving them systematically.  It's a term that was used in the movie and stage play of the same name.  In the story, the victim's husband tries to convince his wife that she is insane.  He did this by twisting and distorting small pieces of the truth into her daily existence.   The husband accomplished this by insisting she was wrong, or had false memories or that she was in fact delusional.  When the wife tried to defend herself, she was mocked, ridiculed or made to think she was a lunatic.  Sound familiar?  Sadly, this year more so than in the past, we as a society have been gaslighted.  This week we're going to explore the topic so that we can begin 2021 with a new understanding and knowledge of the truth.  So let us examine a few examples of gaslighting.  

A popular form of gaslighting by the Left has to do with accusations of racism.  Only one person, a nameless individual who was too cowardly to identify herself (I know who it was by the way) actually came out and called me names after I published God Bless America.  I have to laugh at this person as she is a good example of someone who has drank the Koolaid.  She does not know me as an adult, so who is she to suggest something so vile?  She threw out insults by calling me a racist, a liar and a coward.  It doesn't matter now as I deleted the comment from my blog as dignifying her insane comments seemed ludicrous to me.  But screaming racism is a perfect example of how the left goes about the business of gaslighting.  

The second area the left likes to gaslight is religion.  For many years, the left has been feeding the false illusion that God is dead or those of faith are just a bunch of dumb downed robots who are worshipping a ghost.  Billions of people over millions of years have put their hope and trust in a deity of their choice. None will say they are unfulfilled with what they believe.  No one I know will ever tell you in their hearts and souls, their form of deity is false.  Those of faith know what they believe is real.   Folks, the gaslighting of religion is what makes a society weak and ripe for a take over.  The left hates religion as their religion is lies and false hope.  Arm up spiritual warriors and pick up your crosses and fight the fight.

Another area where left loves to gaslight is in social media.  The so called Facebook fact checkers really are a creative lot with what they perceive is fact verses fiction.  I love it when some fact checker points out in a post for instance about Covid 19, what they perceive is the truth as told by Dr Fauci.  He's supposedly the end all and be all of Covid information.  Too many well known and well respected scientists have pointed out that wearing masks is not effective.  The young, gullible Facebook fact checker immediately assumes the scientist is wrong and Dr Facui is correct.  By the way, Dr Fauci can't keep straight his position on the wearing of the dumb thing.  What he has effectively done  and has been allowed to do, is scare the living crap out of society.  We now must stand 6 feet away from our fellow human, we can no longer attend public events indoors or out in the open (unless it's a riot or left wing protest) or children go to school.  Drop the mask folks, make yourself known to society again and be the individual you were born to be.  As my friend Ginny pointed out recently; wearing the mask makes us invisible.  

The left has been gaslighting us on the subject of defunding the police.  That's just laughable as hand gun and ammo sales are at an all time high, now that the criminals are being let lose to loot and destroy?  Private citizens, especially in the inner cities, are trying to protect their families, homes and way of life.  Police are retiring or quitting the forces in droves as who in the world wants to be vilified for doing their job?  I smiled when I read the police were called out to the homes of the mayors of Chicago and Seattle as they were under attack by looters and rioters.  These two fools needed protection from the very thugs they so proudly defended.  Oh sweet justice when a Washington State Congress Critter needed police protection when her house was looted and partially destroyed.  Meanwhile, this nutcase wanted her local police defunded.  Better for me than thee... Wake up fellow citizens, we need the police, fire and other forms of protection, this is our basic right.  The second amendment needs to stand, be left alone and defended.  Don't drink the Koolaid, do not let yourselves be gaslighted.

The left loves to call us out when we the tax paying citizens, disagree with the destruction of our major cities.  Friends this is another form of gaslighting.  The City of New York is a good example of a city that is now a shithole as thugs were allowed to destroy it.  The mayor of this city is a known marxist, a communist and anti American lunatic who now has public agencies spying on Jewish synagogues, parks in Jewish neighborhoods and schools. Shades of 1932 Germany, shades of gaslighting the public.  Citizens of these late great cities like New York, Seattle, Chicago, Minneapolis or Milwaukee better wake up quick as they are losing their homes and business to gangs, drug dealers, thugs and roving bands of terrorists.  These once beautiful cities have been destroyed and They say we're the crazy ones?!  Simple question,  who's paying for this garbage, who's got the deep pockets funding this crap?

Finally the biggest form of gaslighting taking place today is the lockdowns.  Social interaction is a basic human right and a necessity.  More depression and suicides have occured since these barbaric lockdowns began.  As I write, Los Angeles County has been put on complete lockdown for the next three weeks!  This is communism, this is not for public safety.  This is for control of the masses, not to stop the spread of a virus that 98% of the population will recover from.  By the way, what ever happened to cases of the seasonal flu? People have lost their homes, businesses and way of life due to locking down society.  This is not communist China, Cuba or Venezuela.  This is America and we fell for this bull#$%@; we have been gaslighted.  

In a previous blog, I named 2021 The Year of Promise.  Let's move into 2021 by promising ourselves we will objectively look at the truth and objectively see society as it really is.  We need to stop reading social media and watching Fake News.  We need to stop accepting it as gospel truth.  Open your eyes, see the reality and gravity of what's going on.  My friends, we're on the verge of losing our country and worse our rights as American citizens.  People, we have been gaslighted!  Now is the time to wake up and smell the coffee before it's too late.

On Wednesday, September 21, 1988, the Daily Word's affirmation was "I rejoice in the truth that sets me free."  The accompanying verse was: "You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." John 8:32    ~ Amen~

  

Let Us Be Thankful

I've experienced "writers block" again this week.  I'm not sure if there has been too much social media and Fake News or I'm running out of ideas!  All the same, lot's of thought has been spent to prepare for this week's tome.  My goal is to transfer my thankful heart into words.  This is Thanksgiving for heaven sake, so let's be thankful!

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, hands down.  The expectations are few; no gifts to buy, not much in the way of decorations, just good old fashioned food and drink with friends who are dear.  Since my family is sparse and I rarely see them, the friends I celebrate the holidays with have become the family I choose.  The last two years in Seattle, I spent Thanksgiving with Mike and Jeannie and other friends.  We had such fun, Jeannie is a great cook and never failed to out do herself.   Mike and I still play Words With Friends, he wins more than I do but what the heck, he's a good opponent.  I'm truly thankful I have stayed in contact with them.  Thank you for your friendship!

This year Thanksgiving will be spent with old friends who were classmates and some new friends.  Jeff and Susan will be hosting us and the class of '73 will celebrate together.  As in the past, we'll all bring something to the table.  Mom's mashed potato recipe and my cranberry sauce will be my contribution.  I'm saving the cherry pie for Christmas.  My Boise family will be celebrating together with good food, plenty of football and hearty laughter.  Different this year yes but it will be wonderful in a whole new way.

So as I move us into the holiday season, let us be thankful.  What are you thankful for?  I'm going to list a few from my heart to yours.

1.  I'm thankful to be alive and I didn't as yet, get the dreaded Covid.  I know people who did,  a couple elderly folks sadly died because of the virus.  The rest thankfully survived with little or no problem.  A couple even had it and never had a symptom.  Praise God!

2.  I'm thankful for my former life in Seattle and the friends I left behind.  Jane and Jon, Toni and Joyce to name a few are forever in my heart.  Your love and support over these last few years will never be forgotten.  I miss you.

3.  I'm thankful for this year's life experience and the lessons learned.  I'm stronger, wiser and still in one piece.  I wouldn't trade one minute of the last two years.  There is a blessing here and I'm thankful.

4.  I'm thankful for my Boise home.  I'm thankful for the process I went through to buy it and I'm thankful it's the perfect place for me to rest my bones, heal my heart and start over again.  This little house has been the perfect gift for me.  

5.  I'm thankful for the new friends I made over the last two years.  These are dear souls and I'm so thankful they still want to continue a friendship with me.  I won't name them but if they read this, they'll know who they are.  I never wanted to infringe on the good intentions behind meeting them but all the same, I'm grateful and very thankful they continue to be in my life.

6.  I'm very thankful for Ginny, Wendy, Jeff, Susan and other SMHS friends I've reconnected with.  These Boise peeps are now family to me.  Thank goodness we all agree for the most part, like and respect each other.  Ginny has been my rock and I believe I've been hers over the last two years.  I can never, ever thank her enough for her ear when I blubbered and shoulder when I cried.  Bless you girl.

7.  I have old friends from the past still in my life that I am truly thankful for.  My girl Robin is another rock.  45 years later and we can pick up right where we left off.  Love you my dear friend.  What would we do without each other?

8.  I'm thankful for my sweet and lovely daughter.  I love you sweetie and wish you were going to be home more this year.  We will celebrate Christmas together with friends.  You have grown up and I've accepted that.  Life does move forward and growing up is part of change.

9.  I'm thankful for the parents and grandparents who gave me a loving home and guidance throughout my life.  You live in my heart and will forever.  

10.  Finally, I'm thankful I live in the United States of America.  Even though we're going challenging times that no one in their right mind would have ever imagined, we still live in the USA and for that we should all be thankful.

The Daily Word published the following affirmation and accompanying verse on November 26, 1942.  It still holds true today:    

             The spirit of Thanksgiving increases my good and fills my heart with gladness. 

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise.  Psalms 100:4

 

Happy Anniversary

Today's blog is a escape from last week's drama.  This is a love story of sorts, an honest account from my heart.  No sugar coating, just the real story.   So bear with me as I pay tribute to the man who gave me much more than a wedding ring and memories.  This is my thank you to my late husband who offered me the chance to live the dream, blessed me with the greatest joy I could ever have and the opportunity to begin again 26 years later.  

I'd been a career type girl you see, dated, played the field of sorts and enjoyed my life.  I was a hard working single woman, had a decent job and plenty of friends both male and female.  I wasn't too interested in getting married, I was self sufficient and completely at peace with my life.  I had just bought myself a small condo and was going to enjoy decorating it (something I love to do), settle in and wait for the next shoe to drop.  It did when one afternoon I needed to stretch, take a break and check on my team.  I don't normally drink coffee past 10am but that fateful day, I was desperate for a cuppa joe.  John was on the phone with a guy in my office.  They were reserve sheriff deputies together and I guess fixing a meeting schedule.  Something funny was said as I walked through the room and John asked Cliff if I was single.  One thing lead to another as it always does, and I was suddenly on speaker phone with him.  I guess looking back, I asked him out.  I had never asked a man out before but this afternoon I did.  We went out a couple of weeks later and never looked back.

John had been living with me in my condo when we found out we were going to have our little blessing, our bundle of joy.  I was not about to walk down the aisle looking 8 months gone so we quietly arranged a small wedding and there I was all the sudden married, a ring on my finger and decorating a baby's room.  Funny the path life takes, God's will of course and the dedication it took to hold our little family together through thick and thin. 

We went on for the next 19 years.  Marriage is no picnic, not a bed of roses or the sweet story we see in the movies.  It's takes hard work, dedication to a goal and a basic like and respect for one another.  We were friends who created a family together.  We were happy and content with life being what it was.  I did then and still now have a huge amount of respect for this smart, decent, funny and caring man.  Sadly neither of us really appreciated each other.  We were two very different people with different likes and dislikes. As it turned out, we weren't really that match made in heaven but we made it work.  We were friends.

When we found out John had pancreatic cancer, we were devastated, more for our daughter than us.  We had lived the seasons of our life together and this was our final season. Ten months from diagnosis date, John died. All day that last day, he had been looking in the corner above the Yankees clock, reaching for something that we couldn't see.  I was asleep on the couch next to his hospital bed, when he woke me up somehow.  He wanted to tell me he was leaving; woke Kristina as well.  He was still looking in that corner with outstretched arms.  At the end of his life, he had accepted Christ.  I like to hope it was Jesus's hand he took for the final journey home.  

Kristina and I have moved on now.  We are best friends, which is what her dad wanted. Life has changed in so many ways but the constants stay the same.  We miss him, his jokes, snide comments and love for the New York Yankees.  He'd be surprised I've been retired for 6 years,  living in Idaho and would enjoy talking planes and flight with Kristina's boyfriend Michael.  He would be teasing me for being a Seahawks fan, my love for the Dodgers and be complaining about my preference to like the house neat and clean.  We know however,  he's in his eternal home and at peace.   That's the blessing for us to hang on to.  So Happy Anniversary to you my friend and thank you for the life you gave and continue to give today.  XXOO

~For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven~                                       Ecclesiastes 3:1

God Bless America

As I sat this morning, pondering what I wanted to write about this week, I had so much on my mind but had no idea where to begin.  2020 The Year That Was is now becoming 2020 The Year We Lost America.  Do not scoff at me my friends, this is very real and me along with many of my friends, are in total agreement.  We all have become very concerned about the direction our beloved country is traveling.  We are concerned if our children and grandchildren will continue to enjoy the freedoms we grew up with.  What has happened in the United States of America this week, as I compose this blog, could be an attempted coup.  So, after careful thought and prayer, I decided this week I'd write about  America, the American way of life and America as a global leader.  

The United States of America was and is the greatest experiment ever created.  We are a free people, ALL of us, since 1865.   We've fought internal wars, global wars and became the peace keepers of the world.  The United States of America's people are the most generous, most compassionate most free thinking people in history.  Using our liberties, freedoms and God given rights, we have perhaps brought peace and prosperity to ourselves and to our friends throughout the world.

What happened this week is a travesty and nothing short of voter fraud, intimidation and frankly criminal intent.  Mal educated people believe that we live in a democracy, no we live in a Democratic Republic.  Mal educated, uninformed people believe that a corrupt old man with cognitive issues should become president.  Mal educated people believe that his running mate, a socialist, condescending, corrupt individual is appropriate to be vice president.  Her record in California speaks for itself.  Mal educated people believe that we should keep counting ballots until their side wins, even if dead people cast the ballot.  Mal educated people are becoming the norm in this country and want to lead us.  Mal educated people are bringing down our country and will crash it, willingly.  Sorry folks, this is a fact not fiction.  

I'd like to ask a question out loud, how does the side opposite of me justify all this?  How is the other side going to react when their old man steps down due to "health issues" and an avowed socialist becomes president?  How is the other side going to react when the current Speaker of The House (if she holds her seat) becomes the new vice president?  Probably with glee but the consequences will be drastic, un-sustaining and frankly folks devastating to our country and the world.  The state these two women represent is in a free fall, economically bankrupt and frankly folks, a Shit Hole.  Parts of the city of San Francisco are now slums with feces, urine and needles littering the streets.  Criminals run rampant in their state and businesses are escaping as fast as they can find a new home.  This my friends is what is going to run our country.  This my friends is the beginning of the end of the greatest experiment in the history of the world.  This my friends will be hard to ever recover from.

I'm very glad my parents, grandparents and those before them did not live to see America's destruction.  Many of my family were war veterans, starting back to the Revolutionary War (further back to Bacon's Rebellion).  These patriots fought for the same freedoms that are being given up so easily to socialism.  These patriots are crying in their graves now, knowing their own DNA voted for this garbage and support it.  These patriots along with others are heartsick and frankly angry at the destruction, that is foreseeable in the not so distant future.  

I don't mean to sound bitter but I'm angry.  Mal educated, complacent Americans have let this happen.  Mal educated, complacent Americans are not going to like the life they find so attractive.  Mal educated people really do not understand that what they support will turn the USA into Venezuela, Cuba or any third world dictatorship.  Mal educated, complacent Americans will be the first people to scream they can't buy toilet paper, staples for their pantries or fuel to run cars, trucks, planes and trains.  These same people will cry the blues when more businesses go under or move to states friendly to economic prosperity.  These same people will be crying when they can no longer worship God in their favored houses of worship.  These people have been deluded by destructive media propaganda, censored social media and left wing colleges with a left wing agenda.

So what can we do moving forward?  Wake up and look around and begin to understand that what you now have could be gone in the blink of an eye.  Wake up and understand that socialism is communism without a gun.  Wake up before your rights are gone and we live like zombies waiting to be told what to do next.   I woke up a number of years ago, long before it was cool to be woke.  I went to sleep for a short period but re-woke when the noise from the other side got deafening.  Wake up my friends, America is worth saving.  America, the greatest experiment ever created is the saving grace for world peace.  I pray in my heart; God Bless America.

Sunday July 4, 1965, The Daily Word's affirmation was: "GOD BLESS THIS COUNTRY AND ALL THE WORLD WITH NEWNESS OF VISION, GREATNESS OF SPIRIT, AND ABUNDANCE OF PEACE."    The words of America The Beautiful rang true then as it does today:

"O beautiful for pilgrim feet; Whose stern, impassioned stress, A thoroughfare for freedom beat Across the Wilderness!  America! America! God mend thine every flaw, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law!"

Investing In The Future

I had another blog prepared for this week, more of a girl's type blog about friendships.  It's saved and will be used at a later date.  But, for some reason, it really didn't resonate for this week and the times we have found ourselves in.  Oddly or not so oddly as a friend of mine would say, I heard a talk radio interview with a money manager, finance type guy and he was talking about investing for the future.  Then it hit me, Investing In The Future is a much more appropriate theme for this week.  As always, these are my thoughts and beliefs so hold on tight as we commence.

Investing in the future is much more than our finances, bank accounts, mutual funds or CD's waiting to mature.  Investing in the future is much more than buying a few silver bars or gold coins. Investing in the future is an investment in our entire way of life as we know it.  By this time, if you're in my age group and you haven't got a few dollars socked away, then you're going to live hand to mouth for the rest of your life.  Rest assured, it's doable, just be careful with how you spend and you'll be fine.  Investing in the future is a physical, emotional and a spiritual investment into a lifestyle one wants to live.  In my case, I have 25 good years left, how do I want to live them going forward?.

Physically, I'm in good shape, tip top for lack of better wording.  Who out there can also say the same?  I've eliminated sugar completely from my diet, I keep to a low or no carb diet and I exercise at least three times a week?  Is this enough I ask myself? I feel better right now than I did ten years ago.  Yes I could lose that stubborn ten pounds Covid and depression handed me.  When I look in the mirror, I can truly say I look okay for a sixty five year old baby boomer.  So check mark on the physical side of life.

How is the emotional side doing?  Well, I'm doing fine finally on that side of the equation.  Yes, it's been a rough six months but I'm on the back side of it now.  Life is good in Idaho, fresh air, sunshine, good friends and plenty to keep me busy, has cured the "what ailed" me.  I'm not fragile anymore or prone to tears, I have a smile on my face and a song in my heart.  I can truly say I love life again and I'm ready for a new adventure.  The next trip to the UK is on paper but the wait to travel again is still on.  We'll see but for now, check mark on emotional.

So then we get to spiritual...  Years ago, when I attended Catholic mass I used to ask myself, what is this?  What is it I'm supposed to believe in?  As time went by, I realized this is not for me, too much church doctrine not enough Biblical truth.  Please understand, this is my opinion only and I do not wish to insult my Catholic friends.  I frankly am one to say, if this is what and how you want to believe, God be with you.  I am not arrogant enough to claim I know the perfect way to believe, no one is actually.  

To continue on with the spiritual side of life, 22 years ago I started attending evangelical churches, catering to "my way or the highway."  The luster has finally worn off and I now clearly see that wasn't for me either.  So now what, I asked myself about 2 years ago?  So as I'm sure my readers are asking, where are you spiritually now, Terry?  What do you believe in and have you invested in the future spiritually?  

Here I go, wading into deep waters and horror of horrors the truth as I have come to understand it.  I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.  I believe in what the Bible has to offer but have come to understand, there is more to it than that.  These last two years I began to expand my horizons, investigate beliefs that may be outside the conventional norm and what most of the people I know can comprehend.  What I have come out with is that there is one God, the ruler of the Universe and he directs my daily life.  I meditate daily, listen to my inner voice and she directs my every thought and move.  I also believe in my angels, they're in the Bible, I can feel them with me through out the day, leaving me little signs they're listening.  Jesus knows me well and knows that I'm open and honest with him.  Is my spiritual future secure? You betcha!  I know when I die, wherever I go, I will be at peace.  Am I finally at peace with God?  Yes.  I've been very mad at him, more than once but in the long run, he's never failed me.  Is my investment in my spiritual future secure, check mark a big fat yes thank you.  Is my way good for everyone?  No but it's my way, the way I've come to understand and enjoy. 

As I close this week's blog, I just thank the God of the Universe for bringing me peace, joy, love and my Investment in The Future.   I am grateful for my way of life here in the United States.  I am asking Him now to bring the World peace, harmony, joy and love in the coming years.  

The Daily Word's affirmation for Thursday, August 27, 1981 was "Investment." "Today I make an investment in life and life repays me richly." The accompanying  verse was "The point is this: Whoever  sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows with blessings shall also reap from blessings:  each one giving, just as he has determined in his heart, neither out of sadness, nor out of obligation. For God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9: 6-7

Waking Up In Autumn

Autumn is arguably my favorite time of year.  The other seasons are just fine as they are significant to Mother Earth and ourselves.  But, Autumn is my time, the time when we wind down the year, reflect on our blessings and welcome in winter.  I love the smell of the air, orange and red leaves and pumpkins everywhere one looks.  Because we are reflecting,  this week let's take a gander back in time.  Let's reflect one last time on 2020 The Year That Was.  What has this year has taught us (me mostly) and what should we reflect on this autumn?

As I've mentioned in previous blogs, 2020 started out with promise, friendship and a profound sense of wellbeing.  My thought processes had shifted, I had learned to trust again and frankly I opened my heart and soul.  I don't plan to dwell on this sad topic any longer as it's boring, redundant and frankly not worth my breath.   Suffice to say, it's in the past where it belongs and thank you Jesus I have moved forward.  However,  its still an integral part of 2020 but the book is now closed and put away on the shelf of time. 

So as we are now firmly entrenched in Autumn leaves and shifting towards winter, my readers may be asking; Terry  what did you learn from all this?   What I want to say is, lessons were learned the hard way, trust was tested and caution now being employed.  I'm reticent to open my soul again as my heart was betrayed.  As a woman it's hard to admit, as we seem to be very anxious to trust.  What I want to impart to my women friends is however; go slow, be cautious and keep your eyes wide open.  

So for me, 2020 The Year That Was, simply sucked.  Where in this autumn season do I go from here?  Where as a society do we go as we can not continue as we are now?  Since now I am almost fully "Woke,"  I of course have a few suggestions. I am writing this mostly for my women readers but men may learn something as well.

• Trust but with abundant caution. The news media, social media, any media should be listened to and dissected for half truths and lies.  The lies and distortions being spewed are pure evil. 
• Listen carefully and if something smells wrong, it's wrong.  Simply trust your gut.
• Be cautious with feelings, information and your thought processes.  TMI is not healthy and will set one up for heartbreak and deceit. 
• Listen to that still small voice of the Divine.  It will speak as loudly as you allow it to and it's never wrong.  
• Trust and Obey.   If your still small voice says no, obey because the answer is no.  If it's enthusiastic, then go forward with joy and happiness.
• Wake Up and enjoy life.  Waking up is a concept more than getting out of bed in the morning.  Being woke means one is fully engaged with life, with your inner self, with the Divine.  Being woke means your senses are on high frequency and tuned in to what God is saying.  I woke up and my understanding is becoming oh so clear.
• Eliminate guilt from your life.  Don't be guilty because of mistakes you may have made.  We all make them and will continue to do so.  Traditional thought is centered around guilt and judgement.  Our toughest critic is ourselves.  Just stop, bless the mistake and move forward. 
• Bless those who have caused you grief.  When one blesses, one frees themselves from the chains and ties that continue to bind us in our grief process.  I have done this, it works.  You will feel free again and your soul will be at peace. 
• Finally, and this topic has been discussed ad nauseam, forgive.  Nuff said.

In conclusion, Autumn is the time when we take that assessment of the year and settle ourselves into the cold of winter.  I'm anxious to find out how winter plays out here in Boise.  I know it will be cold, it will snow but I'll embrace the season with joy.  Cold, snow and ice will turn into flowers in the spring, a new beginning and anticipation for the good things that will come.  I have an abundance of hope for 2021.  The Year That Was will become in 2021, the Year of Promise.  2021 will be a year we forgive the past, anticipate the future and Wake Up to our new beginning.  I'm excited for 2021.  I'm excited to see what God has in store for me, my family, my friends, for my country and for the world. 

2021 The Year of Promise, the name has a sweet ring to it.  

Tuesday May 10, 2005, The Daily Word published this affirmation about Guidance and Promise: "I live a life of promise and purpose as I follow a divine plan of good."  The accompanying scripture verse was: "You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name's sake lead me and guide me."  Psalm 31:3.