Category Archives: Appreciation

A Second Look at Life-Every Sunrise Brings a New Day

Posted on April 25, 2013 by richrockwood

An experience with despair need not end there.  Every sunrise brings a new day. A Second Look While I traveled through The back pages of my mind In search of something meaningful To calm my awareness of failure, I realized … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Adaptability, Adventures, Adversity, Appreciation, Contentment, Creation, Darkness, Depression, Despair, Enjoyment, Feelings, Grief, Healing, Letting Go, Life, Miracles, Morale, Perseverance, Perspective, Providence, Restoration, Spirituality, Stress, Suffering, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Connecting with Old Friends

Posted on March 8, 2013 by richrockwood

Connections A blessing breeze blew through my life the day I connected with someone I had known many years ago.  We were in school together and had shared common interests.  He was older, wiser I felt, and an accomplished organist.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Accomplishment, Aging, Appreciation, Choices, Faithfulness, Friends, Memory, Old Age, Perseverance, Perspective, relationships, Retirement, Self-Worth, The Past, Values | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Questioning Life’s Reproductive Mystery

Posted on March 4, 2013 by richrockwood

A blessing breeze blows over the earth each time a seed is created.   A seed is the product of fertilization and growth within the mother plant.  It is the miracle of potential encased within a tiny coat, packed with enough … Continue reading →

Posted in Appreciation, Creation, Gifts, Life, Meditation, Nature, Pleasure, Praise, Spring | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Powerful Force for Getting Things Out of My Way

Posted on March 1, 2013 by richrockwood

Providence at Work?  Two days ago in my part of Michigan, I awoke to a substantial amount of snow which needed to be removed before my wife could get out of our driveway.  I was fortunate in that when she moved … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Accomplishment, Adaptability, Appreciation, Belief, Contentment, Faith, God, Guidance, Heaven, Letting Go, Morale, Perseverance, Providence, Religion, Service, Snow, Thankfulness, Trust, Values, Winter | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

I Was a Pioneer

Posted on February 22, 2013 by richrockwood

Living in the Past:  I was a pioneer in the Autumn of 1963, a member of the first and only class, entering Grand Valley State College, the newest in Michigan, walking in brand new buildings, enjoying a complete lack of … Continue reading →

Posted in Accomplishment, Adaptability, Adventures, Appreciation, Choices, Claustrophobia, Courage, Education, Faith, Fear, Focus, Grand Valley State University, GVSU, Identity, Letting Go, Life, Passion, Perseverance, Principles, Priorities, Resolutions, Self-Worth, Soldier, The Past, Trust, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Music Can Enhance a Mood

Posted on February 1, 2013 by richrockwood

Experience as a Flashlight: I have found music to be a great partner as I go through life.  It motivates me to work.  It helps me concentrate.  It leads me to higher levels of thought. Back in my college days, … Continue reading →

Posted in Appreciation, Belief, Enjoyment, Eternity, Famous People, Happiness, Healing, Heaven, Mozart, Music, Passion, Perspective, Pleasure, Relaxation, Stress, Study, Tasks, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Meet the Beatles!

Posted on January 30, 2013 by richrockwood

Living in the Past: I remember when I first heard the Beatles.  I was driving with my college buddy out to school and their song “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” came on the radio.   He told me “they are … Continue reading →

Posted in Appearance, Appreciation, Art, Beatles, Creativity, Enjoyment, Famous People, Feelings, Music, Passion, Paul and Ringo, Perspective, The Past | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Grades? What Grades?

Posted on January 14, 2013 by richrockwood

Observations About Life:  I went back to seminary later in life.   I was in my forties and retaining information for tests was tedious and at times impossible.  It seemed the harder I worked for a class, the worse grade I received.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Appreciation, Belief, Bondage, Education, Employment, Feelings, Happiness, Identity, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Personality, Perspective, Priorities, Reality, School grades, Self-Worth, The Past, Work, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Past is Past

Posted on December 31, 2012 by richrockwood

Lessons from Life:  No one has yet invented a time machine that will allow us to travel forward or backwards in time.  I doubt they ever will because, as I understand it, you have to exceed the speed of light … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Appreciation, Enjoyment, Feelings, Gifts, Happiness, Holidays, Life, love, Memory, Principles, Reality, relationships, The Past, Time, Wisdom, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dealing with Loss At Christmas

Posted on December 28, 2012 by richrockwood

Experience as a Flashlight:  The woman was beside herself with grief.  It was only a few months since her husband had died.  She was not looking forward to Christmas.  How could she deal with that loss at Christmas when the … Continue reading →

Posted in Appreciation, Christmas, Courage, Creativity, Fear, Feelings, Focus, Grief, Health, Holidays, Letting Go, Life, love, Memory, relationships, Suffering, Thankfulness | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment