“Whether a person believes in God or not, if someone is achieving extraordinary things, then I believe God is in that process.” The Very Reverend John R. HallSlow motion, a Hollywood technique, is the only way to describe it. I wasn’t in a movie but in the midst of a near miss on a freeway on-ramp where time stood still, these words flashed through my mind, “You were not intended to die here; God has something for you to do in your life that you have not done yet.” I’m not extraordinary. But, this thing happened to me before I knew God, making it an extraordinary thing to me. It’s imprinted on my memory, as it should be I suppose, since it changed my life. Once on the freeway I was so shaken I had to pull over in the dirt. Then I had to try to explain myself to my passenger, but there were no words. Since I love a mystery, this began a quest to discover what it was I was meant to do. Even today after years of listening to God and trying to do His will, I still wonder if I’ve done it yet, or not. Lord, just knowing that the Creator of the universe knows and loves me is extraordinary; if there’s any ordinary thing I can do for You…may I never forget the sound of Your voice. Amen “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27 “And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it.’” Isaiah 30:21 What are your thoughts? Libby
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“Don’t ever mistake my silence for ignorance, my calmness for acceptance, and my kindness for weakness.” Unknown
I began practicing listening – not talking – when I went to dinner with friends, when I sat in conference rooms waiting for meetings to begin, at the dinner table on holidays. What I didn’t realize until then was, listening was not just speaking less it was an opportunity to really focus on what others were saying. This was one of the harder lessons of my life, and I’m still learning. But listening for what people mean, as well as what they say, has also helped me ask better questions. As I began to consult, practicing silence helped me offer better suggestions because I had a better understanding of the whole situation.
“Making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding.” Proverbs 2:2 “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.” Proverbs 18:13
What are your thoughts? Libby “When the woes of existence beset us, we urgently seek comic relief. The more emotions we invest in a subject, the greater its potential for guffaws.” Patch Adams, MDToday is my birthday and I’m stuck at home taking a 24-hour test at my doctor’s request. I don’t feel bad enough to be convinced it’s necessary, but she wants to rule out possible bad stuff. So here I sit, all day, at home, by myself, on my birthday. I picked up a book that got me laughing – which is where I got today’s quote – and it perked me up. Here are some others I found:
I still have to take this day-long test, but I'm not feeling grouchy any more. Is there something you’re dreading? Are you not well, or just feeling blue? What can you do, watch, listen to, read, or who can you call, that will make you laugh today?
Note: Hunter Doherty “Patch” Adams (1945- ), an American physician, comedian, social activist, clown and author who founded the Gesundheit! Institute, a free community hospital from 1971-1984. Each year he organizes volunteers to travel to various countries where they bring humor to orphans and patients; while in Illinois he collaborates with the Institute to promote alternative health care model. Robin Williams portrayed Adams in the movie Patch Adams in 1998.
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.“Why do people get so upset when I offer suggestions?” my mother asked. “Because your suggestions are ‘street smart’ gleaned from years of living. When someone has seventeen letters after their name, they rely on their education and years of experience, and rightly so.” When my mother feels like she’s being shunned or intentionally ignored, it’s more likely because she’s viewing the response from a dark perspective because her help is not readily accepted. She’s from that generation where the parent-child relationship is all they know. They have no role models for adult-adult relationships with their kids, neighbors, co-workers or even strangers, that happen to be younger than them.
The other day I heard someone say, “bless them, change me,” as a sort of prayer. I now have a mantra that takes me to the mindset of choosing to see comments in the light rather than in the darkness, in love rather than hate. This is helping me not respond in darkness or hate, but to see the light and respond in love. Do you have people in your life that ‘rub you the wrong way’ with their comments? Do those comments make you want to respond with words you'll later regret? What can you say that will remind you to shift your perspective from darkness to light and respond in kindness? Lord, save me from myself; my thinking that every comment is about me. Help me see through Your eyes and see light and love. Amen “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 What are your thoughts? Libby
Note: Maya Angelou (1928-2014), an American poet, author, screenwriter, actor, singer, dancer and civil rights activist. She is best known for her first in a series of seven autobiographies, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, and is attributed to be “the black woman's poet laureate.”
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WelcomeI love the wisdom of the ages gleaned from relevant quotes. In them there is a connection to the human experience that crosses all borders. Join me as I relate my personal experiences, and link the wisdom of the quote to the Source of all wisdom: God's Word, the Bible. Enjoy, Libby Categories
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