journey to the other side

When pain is deep and strong, I know God will get me to the other side. Never fails. But I can't escape it or deny it to learn the lessons. We've got to go through it.

Rafting in Ladakh, India

Source: Wikipedia

Although at times the anguish we are feeling makes the distance seem so very far to cross, as I remember reading somewhere.

Today the distance does seem far to cross, but the sun is starting to appear. "Land Ho!" I see the horizon, and I've got a glimpse of the other side. Blue skies. But I've got to go through it to get there.

I spent time at Girl Scout camp every summer as a child -- two to four weeks non-stop, day and night, in the woods. We used to sing the following song and do the actions. It's amazing how children's songs and fairy tales tell so many truths about our lives. This children's song reveals the truth that it takes courage to face pain, truths, and obstacles.

I don't think bear hunts are much fun, but it's nice when you're safe back home.

Click to experience a Bear Hunt.

Visit Communal Global

and

Life with Kaishon.

beauty and order

Photo by Jimi Ann.

"What a gift of grace to be able to take the chaos from within

and from it create some semblance of order."

~Katherine Paterson

Only God can be perfect. And sometimes only through his Spirit do I receive the grace to "create some semblance of order" from my inner chaos. I'm not perfect today, or any day, and don't wanna be.


This post is linked to Tabitha's blog today, where she shares the truth that our life is our canvas and a work of art, and reminds us that it's okay to be normal.

perfectionism

Perfectionism is self-abuse of the highest order.
~ Anne Wilson Schaef

Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor,

the enemy of the people.

It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life.
~ Anne Lamott

Their are no winners. Everyone fails with this ideal, especially ourselves, although we don't realize it at the time. We're slowly killing those around us as we break their spirits. What are we running from?

Here's a great post from my friend Karen's blog, at Homespun Simplicity, about acceptance when we're not close to perfect.


Note: towels made perfect only for photo! :)

old favorite rediscovered: Tracy Chapman

I had forgotten for a long time that I liked listening to Tracy Chapman. She has always sparked a chord within me. The following lyrics are incredibly familiar to my soul. I cry every time I hear this, as I can relate.

Click to hear Tracy Chapman singing Fast Car.

Tracy Chapman in Bruges 2009
Source: Wikipedia

embracing our God-given emotions

Vincent Van Gogh 1890

"At Eternity's Gate"
Source: Wikipedia

"Emotion is action. By embracing emotion, the character does something, goes through a change, finds a resolution. It doesn’t matter if the emotion is upbeat or downbeat, positive or negative — the effect is the same.

So don’t be afraid of emotion."

~ Pat Bertram

May we embrace our God-given emotions and not let them scare us into silence and suppression. We need not fear God's powerful handiwork. He made us this way.

which bird are you?

The bird that banged into my window yesterday experienced a lot of pain, yet was free. This one experiences no pain and is safe, yet imprisoned.

Pauline's bird


"And the day came

when the risk it took to remain tight in the bud

was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."

~ Anais Nin


This post is linked to Imperfect Prose at Emily's.

story of an unfortunate bird - an allegory

Early this morning I was sitting by the window.




Everything was quiet and peaceful. The sun was coming over the horizon. All appeared to be right with the world for the happy little bird -- she was chirping and singing at the top of her lungs.

The way seemed clear and she flew and flew, happy as a lark (but she wasn't a lark), then BAM! She banged head-on right into my window. A big bang.

Disoriented all of a sudden, not realizing what was happening to her world, she tried to fly away from the window. "What happened to my world? Where am I?" But after a while, becoming oriented again, realizing she was a bird and it was "in her" to fly, she eventually flew again.

But not in the same way as before. She couldn't fly straight at first and was dizzy from the blow.

The way wasn't as clear as she had thought. Tomorrow the sun will come up. It'll be a new day, and she'll have a chance to fly happily again.

My window needs cleaning.

discovery

Photo of barn by Jimi Ann.

"We shall not cease from exploration

And the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time."

~T. S. Eliot

Sweet Shot Tuesday. For more about photography and breathtaking photos, click here.