Category: Balance

Primary purpose of this website is about balance in our lives – spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical

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I’VE HAD A LOT OF TIME TO THINK

I have had a lot of time to think lately – have had to slow down a lot also – well okay – almost to a crawl. In 1994, I wrote a poem to my brother who later passed away. The first couple of paragraphs started:

“Each of us has a purpose as we walk our path in life, While people touch us daily and leave us changed inside.”
“You have taught me compassion and a lot of patience too, Things I might not have learned, if I hadn’t been touched by you.”

When I met a new friend after writing that, I think I was intrigued by him as he was so different from anyone I had met – he opened my eyes to a whole ‘nother world – I was no longer sheltered and naïve. What I love most in this world is to have a meaningful conversation with someone from the heart. As I am an introvert (a few friends, close and meaningful), I guess that makes sense – and we definitely had that and more. I find that most of the men I was involved with throughout my life (and they are far and few between) were not very honest with me and I needed to move on in my life. Timing is everything . . .

l look back on my life and realize I have been so very blessed in so many ways and yet how different it could have been . . . then I go back to the poem I wrote and remember everything has a purpose.

What I want to do for the rest of my life are the things that give life meaning, to do the things I love to do, and have fun doing it. I want to get back to my website again, (hopefully encouraging other women to stay true to themselves) . . . to just be kind, loving, and respectful to the people God puts in my life . . . giving back. I have everything I need and then some . . .

mjnak

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CoVID 19 Pandemic

I have heard, read, and believe that we can find something good - something positive - in every situation if we choose to look for it . . . it gives us hope . . . an attitude of gratitude for absolutely everything.
"Everything has a purpose as we walk our path in life, while people (and situations) touch us daily and leave us changed inside."
Have you ever wondered if the real purpose of CoVid 19 is for us to shelter in place and take the time to get our priorities straight . . . to take time to be thankful for what is truly important . . . to spend time with family or to pray for those who are so important to us . . . to appreciate the people who are putting THEMSELVES at risk to provide for OUR needs. . . to enjoy and appreciate the beauty of God's world . . .
Just sayin'. . .
May God watch over and bless each and everyone of you and your families during this unprecedented time to keep you safe and healthy . . . prayers go out everyday to see an end to this pandemic . . . according to God's will and in His time - not mine - Thy will be done Lord . . . according to Your purpose . . . Amen.

mjnak 04/06/2020

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FAMILY . . .

It's hard to believe half the year is over as we venture into July.  June was a busy month - something going on every weekend (except for two) starting with Memorial weekend. 

One of those weekends was with my mom, brothers, sisters, their family members and their grandchildren - 4 generations for our 32nd family reunion.  We started in 1988 and continued every year at different places with anyone that could make it.  We divided my immediate family into teams, rotating every year to the next team with each having responsibility for planning the location, food, etc., for that year (the grandchildren even took over one year).  We started with 24: our parents, 8 brothers and sisters, 5 spouses and 9 grandchildren.  Our family has since grown to 50 including my mom, 7 brothers and sisters with 5 spouses, 10 children/step children with 7 spouses, and 20 great grandchildren/step great grandchildren.  Officially, one more was “inducted” to the family when the first great grandchild got married the weekend after the family reunion.  (I wonder when there will be great great grandchildren?!?)

The reunion reminded me once again how important family is, including extended family.  I grew up knowing one set of great grandparents, both sets of my grandparents, my aunts, uncles and cousins (and there were many).  I had a good upbringing and for that I am so very grateful!  I miss my dad and my brother, along with so many relatives (who have since passed on to a different life), yet while they were here, touched my life and helped to make me who I am today. 

God and family are my foundation - the most precious gifts in my life.  I, my brothers and sisters owe so much to our parents.  I am unable to imagine how they raised 8 children – 4 boys and 4 girls (and stayed sane besides!).  They were role models to each of us – by listening to and watching them, we grew up knowing the difference between right and wrong; to be independent and take care of ourselves; to be responsible and accountable for our actions; to be kind; to be respectful; to say thank you; and most importantly, to work hard and to do our best.

We had our fair share of “scrapping” growing up, however, we are all so very close to one another and get along so well.  I am so saddened by the number of stories I hear where family members refuse to talk to one another or worse.  I pray they are able to find a way through all the unimportant “stuff” and come together in love.

Thank you to my Mom and Dad for being such amazing parents!  Love you to the moon and back!

'Til the next time . . .

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ATTITUDE . . .

I am a glass half full kind of person - I think I have always been that way for whatever reason.  I have met many negative people and even live with a person who only sees the negative in most situations.  I find that very sad and frustrating at times because each of us have a choice as to what our attitude will be.  I try to keep in mind the saying, "Change your attitude and change your life." 

"Choosing to be positive and having a grateful attitude is going to determine how you're going to live your life."     Joel Osteen

 

 

"We cannot change our past. We can not change the fact that people act in a certain way. We can not change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude."     Charles R. Swindoll

What attitude will you choose?

'Til the next time . . .

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LIFE IS A JOURNEY . . .

 

Our lives begin as a journey . . . and it continues to the end of life.  We are meant to learn and grow throughout our lifetime - to make the most of our time here on earth - to become a better person and to do good things.  During that time we encounter peaks, valleys, and sometimes we get to rest on the plateaus: "a state of little or no change following a period of activity or progress".

I can think of a number of situations while I was growing up and, again as I was raising my girls as a single mom, that challenged me and I struggled with "why"?   

I have learned, continue to learn, and now believe that whatever each of us goes through, we can find and take away something positive from every situation.  We may not see it at first, however, looking back we can hopefully say, "Oh, that's why I needed to go through that!  Now I understand . . ."   

'Til the next time . . . 

 

 

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FAITH, HOPE, LOVE . . .

Through out my life, faith, hope and love have carried me through some very difficult times.  Early on, I would light a candle in my bedroom to remind me that God was in charge and was working out the situation according to His will for me . . . for my life . . .  and to keep my focus on Him. 

Eventually, I came up with my own mantra to remind me that "this too shall pass" (based on Acts 2:21).  I would repeat these words to myself as I went for walks around the pond to remind me to focus on what was in my control and leave the rest to God who was working out the situation according  to His will for me . . . for my life (Proverbs 3:5-6).  This was and still is my mantra:

Faith is fear-less . . . Hope is worry-less . . . Love is end-less . . . 

Most of the time, I tried to reflect on the temporary nature of the present difficulty . . . to see the positive in the situation and remind myself there was a lesson to be learned from what I was going through.  Looking back, I can see the lessons and I have grown -  spiritually, emotionally and mentally . . . 

'Til the next time . . . 

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COURAGE . . .

"Sometimes you have to stand up and fight for what you believe in.  And sometime it takes even more courage to stay put.  To hold your ground and refuse to be bullied.... It doesn't change the bully.  But it can change you."  ~ Touched By An Angel calendar

As I was growing up, whenever we wanted something because everyone else had it, I can remember my Mom saying, "so, if everyone jumped off a cliff, would you too?"  What does that even mean????  

As time went on, I learned to stand up for what I believed in - not always a popular decision, however, I wouldn't back down when I felt strongly about something.  It takes a lot of courage, and yes, it got me in trouble at times, yet I am so very grateful to my Mom for teaching me that I need to be able to feel good about my choices in life and to take responsibility for the outcome - good or bad. 

And, I had to work up the courage to admit when I was wrong . . .

'Til the next time . . .

 

 

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SUCCESS . . .

FAITH stimulates success . . . HOPE sustains success . . . LOVE sanctifies success . . . 

Success comes in a number of different forms depending on how a person defines success.  The dictionary defines success as "the accomplishment of an aim or purpose". 

Throughout my life I've had many challenges as all of us do.  It was hard for me to think of being successful when I would dwell on the challenges - I just saw the failures. 

Now, looking back, I see many successes in my life.  (Sometimes it is hard to see the forest for the trees).  I realized that I had been too involved in the details of a problem to look at the situation as a whole. 

I learned there are times in our lives when we need to step back or away from our situation and see it from a different perspective.  It can make all the difference in the world.

Faith in a higher being, hope for a better tomorrow, and love from and for the people that surround and support us in our lives . . . 

'Til the next time . . . 

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POSITIVE AND POSSIBILITY THINKING

Teachings from Norman Vincent Peale, Dr. Robert H. Schuller, and Steven Covey (who have since passed away), etc. have had a great impact on how I think about and view life in general.  For a long time I have been learning to be a positive and possibility thinker.  I believe life is much better when one approaches it from a positive perspective - I can do anything I set my mind to do. 

So can you . . .

Til the next time . . . 

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SELFISHNESS vs SELFLESSNESS

I am reminded today of one of my favorite quotes from "A Daily Devotional Calendar" (Twenty years of Possibility Thinking slogans from the writings of Dr. Robert H. Schuller):  

"Selfishness turns life into burdens, while selflessness turns burdens into life." 

"We give thanks to God always for you all . . . remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience . . .

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

We have all carried burdens throughout our lives - some more than others.  Yet, how we choose to deal with them makes all the difference in the world.  I have witnessed some pretty selfless people in my life, even in the face of tremendous adversity, put others first.  I wish I was better at that . . . 

How do you see yourself:  selfish or selfless?

'Til the next time . . . 

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DEEPEST NEED OF A HUMAN BEING

One of the quotes from my daily devotional calendar of possibility thinking slogans from Robert H Schuller is:  "The deepest need of the human being is the need to be needed - so - make it a point to meet someone's need today."

We seldom know or realize how we touch someone's life when we hold open a door, smile, say "hello", or maybe offer a hug. 

I love the signs along the interstates that simply say:  "BE KIND" or "SMILE" or "BE NICE".  It always makes me smile and lifts my spirits.  I wonder if the person putting up the sign realizes how it makes my day or even the day for others . . . maybe that was his/her intention.  Whose need are you going to meet today?

'Til the next time . . .

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DECLARING MY PURPOSE

MY FAITH STATEMENT:

"I am a child of God, made possible through the awesome and glorious gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, who died so my sins would be forever forgiven, giving me the promise of salvation and eternal life." ~ mjk 09/28/03

MY MISSION STATEMENT:

"To personally know and share the love of God through my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and as I prepare for eternity, to live my life in a way that is deserving of His love and friendship." ~ mjk 09/28/03

MY LIFE'S PURPOSE STATEMENT:

"My goal in life is to live a Christ-centered life . . . and to experience all that comes with it." ~ mjk 11/20/04

MY LIFE'S MOTTO:

"To always be faithful" and "To thine own self be true."

‘Til the next time . . . 

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FINDING MY PURPOSE

Semper Fi, the motto of the Marine Corp, means "always faithful". I learned about it from my husband who is a marine (once a marine - always a marine).

And, as I began my journey in life - the next phase to challenge me - I realized the first 4 letters could include the aspects of balance: spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical - just what I was searching for in an acronym. It took me a few years to figure out the rest of the acronym for S.E.M.P.ER.F.I., however I eventually came up with "evolving, radiating from inside".

And so, I began fulfilling my purpose in life putting together this website, "Journey for Life" to be able to share my journey in hope of helping someone in theirs. I told myself, "even if I only help one person, it would be worth it.

I will be sharing the wealth of information I have collected in my lifetime from the people who have touched my life.

'Til the next time . . . God Bless!

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SEARCHING FOR MY PURPOSE

In 2003, I interviewed for a secretarial position at a local church. I was asked what my faith statement was and I couldn't come up with anything. My fate was sealed.

However, I did join an individual group at that church which was just beginning Rick Warren's "40 Days of Purpose" with the entire congregation over the next 40 days. It was perfect for me because I had been searching for my "purpose" in life - so began the next part of my "journey for life."

As a result, I wrote my faith statement. Later, I also wrote my mission statement and my life's purpose statement, and decided on my motto.

'Til the next time, God bless . . .