Category Archives: Perspective

Looking for Life After Loss-Chapter Seven

Posted on November 7, 2025 by richrockwood

The next day was Friday, the day of the luau. Ray, by then had some idea of what to expect, but hoped it would be more than dinner and a show. He and Wes had talked about women and Ray … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventures, Appearance, Bravery, Communication, Computer, Connection, Courage, Death, Depression, Disappointment, Feelings, Friendship, Grief, Letting Go, Life, Loss, love, Manliness, Marriage, Memory, Perseverance, Perspective, relationships, Self-Worth, Suffering, vacation | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Never Alone

Posted on April 9, 2025 by richrockwood

Regardless of how I feel, I am connected.  I am connected visually to those who see me at any given moment in time.  I am connected by line of sight to everything I can see outside my windows.  I am … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Connection, Culture, Family, Friends, Identity, Life, Loyalty, Perspective, relationships, Sibling | Leave a comment

Shower the People You Love with Love

Posted on December 23, 2024 by richrockwood

I did not realize it at the time, but when I kissed my wife Inga good-bye that morning in 2006, I would never see her alive again. She was on the way to compete with other Bridge players. I had … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Communication, Death, Family, Feelings, Grief, Letting Go, Loss, love, Marriage, Perspective, relationships | 2 Comments

Looking for Restful Sleep

Posted on March 7, 2024 by richrockwood

Say a prayer before you sleep. Let His gracious love surround you as, without a care, you drift into sleep. This is your time now to revitalize your mind, body and soul. All the thoughts that directed your words and … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Life, Night, Old Age, Perspective, Prayer, Quiet Time, Relaxation, rest/sleep, Sleeplessness | Leave a comment

The Shepherd

Posted on May 17, 2023 by richrockwood

In the movie “Rome Adventure” the character played by Troy Donahue explains to the character played by Suzanne Pleshette, that the reason churches used art in the past was that most people could not read. Art was a a means … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Art, Atonement, Belief, Bible, Christ, Darkness, Depression, Despair, doubt, Eternal Life, Faith, Faithfulness, Fear, Feelings, Guidance, Letting Go, Loss, Perspective, Priorities, Providence, Quiet Time, Rejection, Religion, Restoration | Leave a comment

Those Probing, Prying Medical Exams

Posted on March 13, 2017 by richrockwood

As a very young boy I prided myself on being able to take a shot from the doctor without crying.  I thought I was better than other kids who would cry and fuss over it.  I recall thinking that I … Continue reading →

Posted in Adaptability, Aging, Attitude, Fear, Health, Hospital, Letting Go, Medical, Old Age, Perspective, Physical Exams, Reality, Relaxation, Sense of Humor, Trust, Wisdom | Leave a comment

An Insight from the Past to Help in the Present

Posted on February 16, 2017 by richrockwood

Have the inequalities of life ever dragged you to the depths?  Are you ever tempted to compare your life to someone else’s?  I am.  In that disturbed state one day I came across Psalm 73 in the Bible and was … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Adversity, Appreciation, Belief, Bible, Choices, Contentment, Disappointment, Faith, Feelings, Happiness, Materialism, Money, Peace, Perspective, Priorities, Self-Worth, Social Pressure, Spiritual, Thankfulness, Values, Wisdom, Worship | Leave a comment

The Only Thing That Counts is Faith Working Through Love

Posted on January 26, 2017 by richrockwood

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love.”  (Galatians 5:6 NRSV) I have had pride over some of my accomplishments in the past.  I was in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Accomplishments, Background, Belief, Bible, Choices, Christ, Faith, God, Grand Valley State University, Perspective, Spirituality, Values | Leave a comment

Hung Up Over “Nice”

Posted on January 8, 2017 by richrockwood

It’s a perfect setting.  The sun’s reflection peers through the trees on the water. I can hear the sound of the fountain in the middle of a pond.  This pond is two-thirds covered by shadows.  The sun has not yet … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Adaptability, Appreciation, Belief, Choices, Communion, Contentment, Creation, Enjoyment, Inspiration, Learning, Life, Perfectionism, Perspective, Priorities, Quiet Time, Reality, Spirituality, Stress, Values, Wonder | Leave a comment

Happy? New Year

Posted on December 27, 2016 by richrockwood

We’re here again-on the verge of another new year.  The typical greeting (or is it a wish?) we give each other is “happy new year.” Is that what we all really want?  To be happy, according to the Apple Dictionary … Continue reading →

Posted in Adaptability, Adversity, Balance, Bed-ridden, Belief, Contentment, Depression, Despair, Disappointment, Education, Fear, Feelings, Learning, Life, Loss, Milestones, Miracles, New Year, Perseverance, Persistence, Perspective, Questioning, Religion, Self-Discovery, Service, Values, Wisdom, Worry | Leave a comment