Tag Archives: Surrender

I Was a Pioneer

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

The Promise of the Rainbow

Living in the Past:  Back in the late 1970’s I was returning to Michigan from California.  I had lived out there for almost two years and was now heading home.  I was driving through New Mexico when it started to … Continue reading

Posted in Adventures, Appearance, Faith, Fear, Heaven, Nature, Perseverance, Perspective, Providence, Religion, Stress, Suffering, The Past, Trust, Visual, Weather, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The First Time

General Observations About Life:  The first job I had was packing groceries and helping people load them in their cars.  I worked at a local supermarket and providing this service to customers was something done which young people could do.  To … Continue reading

Posted in Acceptance, Accomplishment, Adaptability, Adventures, Claustrophobia, Courage, Employment, Job, Military, Perspective, Reality, Stress, Wisdom, Work, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I’m Still Me

Observations About Life: It still requires a few blinks to get used to the elderly man I see in the mirror.  There are only whispers of hair where massive amounts once lived, changed at intervals from left to right or … Continue reading

Posted in Aging, Appearance, Contentment, Enjoyment, Life, Manliness, Old Age, Passion, Personality, Perspective, Retirement, Self-Worth, Thankfulness, The Past, Time, Wisdom, Worry, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Everything Seemed Smaller Now

Experience as a Flashlight:  A number of years ago, I had the opportunity to travel back with my brothers to our boyhood town.  It’s a small town in a largely agricultural area of Wisconsin.  Our dad had moved us there … Continue reading

Posted in Acceptance, Aging, Appearance, Contentment, Feelings, Identity, Letting Go, Memory, Old Age, Perseverance, Perspective, Reality, Self-Worth, Thankfulness, Time, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Being Bed Bound and Alone (I Need Someone To Care)

Experience as a Flashlight:    During the winter of 1985, I contracted Hepatitis A virus which spreads when an infected person does not wash his or her hands after using the bathroom and then comes in contact with someone else.  I had … Continue reading

Posted in Bed-ridden, Claustrophobia, Faithfulness, Feelings, Friends, Grace, Happiness, Healing, Health, Hospital, Identity, Life, love, Medical, mercy, Morale, Perspective, Priorities, relationships, Service, Sickness | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Resolutions are Not Me!

Experience as a Flashlight: I can make all the resolutions I want, but they really have no connection with me.    I live in the real world.  Say, for example, I resolve that I am not going to eat any cookies … Continue reading

Posted in Accomplishment, Adaptability, Belief, Bondage, Courage, Feelings, Focus, Food, Habitual Sin, Health, Life, Morale, New Year, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Perspective, Priorities, Reality, Resolutions, Stress, The Past | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Only Sleeping

Experience as a Flashlight  “I’m Only Sleeping”  (Beatles) When I wake up early in the morning Lift my head, I’m still yawning When I’m in the middle of a dream Stay in bed, float up stream (float up stream) Please, … Continue reading

Posted in Acceptance, Adaptability, Aging, Creativity, Exercise, Focus, Health, Letting Go, Life, Medical, Night, Peace, Perspective, Relaxation, Retirement, Sleeplessness, Stress, Trust, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Secrets of Thankfulness

Lessons I Have Learned:  A number of years ago, I either heard or came upon this thought that I could expand giving thanks beyond one Thursday a year to all year long.   This idea led me to the idea that … Continue reading

Posted in Accomplishment, Contentment, Enjoyment, Feelings, Focus, Happiness, Life, Perspective, Pleasure, Priorities, Quiet Time, relationships, Thankfulness, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Slow Down This Big Time Machine: Break Your Routine

Lessons from Life:  One thing I’ve heard comments about for almost as long as I can remember is the speed at which time passes.  From an early age I remember hearing that life is short and we must make the … Continue reading

Posted in Adaptability, Bondage, Contentment, Courage, Creation, Creativity, Enjoyment, Focus, Fun, Happiness, Laughter, Life, Orderliness, Perfectionism, Perspective, Priorities, Sense of Humor, Stress, Tasks, Work | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment