Kim from ilaxstudio.com had a Friday Question that caught my attention and it has turned into a ‘must participate even if it is a day late’ post.
Friday Questions # 29 is:
Did you ever wear one of those livestrong, or livestrong-inspired rubber wristbands? What did it say? Do you still wear it?
Funny you should ask.
- Livestrong. Recently while at Dick’s Sporting Goods, returning some ill-fitting Croc sandals for my husband, Miss Sam and I noticed a bowl of bright yellow ‘Livestrong wristbands. When we read that it represents support for individuals fighting all types of cancer we knew we had to purchase a few. Please continue to keep my father-in-law on your prayer lists as he bravely faces his battle with pancreatic cancer.
- Stop Family Violence.This bright pink wristband was given to me by a student during a Human Services class I used to teach. In all my classes I tend to get on my soap box when it is time to lecture on Domestic Violence. I also distribute Florida’s little pink book First Step. I always pray it helps someone that has suffered in silence for too long.
- Support Our Troops. I bought this yellow wristband for myself. Being a child of a career Army man, an Army veteran myself, and the wife of a now (thankfully) retired Army man, I know first hand the sacrifices made to keep our country free.
- With God, All Things Are Possible. I bought quite a few of these white wristbands for Easter baskets one year and kept one for myself. Amen.
I keep all of these bands on my ancient Lands End book bag that I take to class. I sometimes wish I was cool enough to carry one of those classy leather over the shoulder professor satchels but they would clash with my wristbands (grin).
How about you?
Did you ever wear one of those livestrong, or livestrong-inspired rubber wristbands? What did it say? Do you still wear it?
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It has been awhile since I have posted on a topic that falls under the category of total ’seriousness’. However, last night while reading my Bible I was convicted to write about this topic today.
Over the past few months there has been much going on in my life and that of my extended family that could make me angry and has made me angry. Just as recent as yesterday, I was perched on the edge of that pit, angled for a fall.
Anger is a normal and basic human emotion. It is a response to threats to our safety, well being and happiness. It is a survival function because it communicates to others and ourselves that something is wrong. We get angry when we are frustrated, hurt, annoyed, disappointed, harassed or threatened. The way we express our anger depends on our life experiences.
Coping with Anger: Self Help Research Technology
My life experiences with anger took years of extensive therapy to reprocess. I sought help as the receiver of anger and the giver of anger because it was making me ill. Yes, although “anger is a normal and basic human emotion” it can also make you mentally and physically ill if not managed.
Thankfully, through EMDR therapy, I learned to manage the triggers for my anger. Thankfully, through my faith, I learned to manage the potential for hurting others when I am hurting.
I have three Bibles.
- The Holy Bible, New Living Translation. This one is so old and used that quite a few books of the New Testament fall out as I search through all the markings and highlighted areas to find the scripture my heart yearns for at a particular moment in time.
- The Open Bible, New King James Version. I love using this one when I am involved in a Bible study or desire to delve deeper into the books of the Bible.
- The Answer:Authentic Faith for an Uncertain World, New Century Version. This is the one I now read on a daily basis. I love the ‘New Century Version’ text, it is easy to read and understand. Yet, my most favorite part of this Bible are the 365 daily articles that are included with appropriate scripture. I have never enjoyed devotional books or devotional Bibles. However, the articles are exactly that, articles (selected writings) by a number of individuals about topics that have life applications.
To work my way back to why I felt convicted to write about anger today, it was because of this article that I found in my Bible while reading Ephesians:
How Do I Deal With Anger? by Charles Stanley
When you are hurt, how do you defuse the emotional bomb of your anger? It may sound simplistic, but the power of Jesus Christ is the answer. He is the only One who can control your emotions and channel them in the proper directions.
It is also crucial to remember that your anger is not intrinsically wrong (Matthew 21:12-17). Anger in response to sin and its ill effects is a form of righteous anger, but when it crosses over the boundary into bitterness or a spirit of vengeance, it is not honoring to God. Much has been written on the subject of handling anger, and for good reason; it is a powerful motivator.
A key principle for keeping anger from turning into deep hurt is found in Ephesians 4:32 (NASB): “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” When you let go of your desire to get revenge, you are on the road to experiencing true freedom through forgiveness.
Your health and well-being are not the only reasons for quick resolution of an angry conflict; bitterness must be avoided at all costs. When a hurt is not addressed, it works its way down into the inmost parts of your heart. Bitterness is a lack of forgiveness multiplied many times over, and it will take root and spread into every segment of your life if you are not watchful.
I am thankful that I can walk away from the edge of that pit by the grace of God.
How about you?
How do you deal with your anger?
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One of today’s questions from ‘That’s My Answer’ goes like this:
“What would you do if you couldn’t surf (the net) all week?”
- I would update my photography portfolio.
- I would purchase the art supplies I need to market my photography.
- I would increase my photography inventory.
- I would research and apply for art shows already scheduled for 2008 -2009 season.
- I would go swimming.
- I would finish my daughter’s age twelve scrapbook and start on age thirteen.
- I would work on the ‘FaithBook’ project that has been on the back burner for about two years now.
- I would update the ‘hard copy’ notebook of my posts and begin an ‘outline’ of that book I am working on.
- I would go swimming.
- I would think about catching up on laundry, dishes, general housekeeping (cough, gag).
- I would brick in the back garden.
- I would plant those sunflower seeds that I seem to expect to grow right out of the package while they sit on my windowsill.
- I would clean the grill from our Memorial Day cookout.
- I would go swimming.
- I would read at least ten of the 250 books I have on my ‘to-read’ bookshelf.
- I would draw up plans for my next ‘garden’ project.
- I would get my course plans together for Summer B - which starts in two weeks - and I am teaching - even though I said I wouldn’t.
- I would learn how to do more with my Paint Shop Pro X Program than enhance and frame my photos.
- I would go swimming.
So how about you?
What would you do if………………you had no internet access??????
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You would never know that this is one of my most favorite reading challenges, considering I am a month late in participating. However, if you love to read and have never visited Joy’s blog Thoughts of Joy, you are so missing out on some very special joys (grin) in your reading day. Joy has provided so much information about books that not only she reads, but others have read, that the posts and lists I find over there keep me avoiding that feeling that every bibliophile hates - not having a book to read.
So without further ado here is my Non-Fiction Five Challenge reading list (although I missed May, I am still going to list five and play catch up):
- Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. This book has been on my ‘to be read’ shelf for over a year now. Every time I see him on ESPN (he is a sports reporter) I think to myself, I really need to read that book about Morrie. Joy has asked us to step out of our ‘non-fiction comfort zone’ this time around so I will give this one a shot.
- The Ride of Our Lives by Mike Leonard. I have been wanting to read this book since it came out in paperback. I must admit I was drawn to the cover as I passed by the ‘New in Paperback’ table at Barnes and Noble a year or so ago. It has been on my Paperback Swap wishlist for some time and recently became available. Of course I hit the ‘Please Send’ button. It is now on my ‘to be read’ shelf just waiting for this challenge.
What do you have planned for your summer reading??
You can check out other books I have read here and ‘my to read’ list here.
As Joy would say: Happy Reading!!
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It’s a little later in the morning than my usual six o’clock am writing time. However, once I grabbed my cup of coffee, I got so wonderfully distracted by the blogs that Heather recently listed on her post Like Minded that I couldn’t stop clicking. Now two hours later my brain is bursting at the seams with ideas. I just love being inspired by other women. It makes me giddy.
Do you ever feel like that as you visit blogs and read about the lives of other women? There are many I visit that I find myself saying - I wish she was a neighbor.
Take for example Meahl Memories, a blogger that is learning to digital scrapbook. How awesome it would be to spend a morning learning and exploring a new creative avenue together. Having a friend there to nudge me out of my ‘got to have photo splits littering the floor’ comfort zone.
Oh, and to spend a Saturday afternoon with Life Nurturing Education, a blogger who loves to ’scavenge’ through the stuff other people are selling/giving/throwing away!!! To share a fabulous find with a kindred spirit instead of watching your husband’s eyes roll while he says ‘and where are you going to put THAT!?”
Then I think how wonderful it would be to spend an evening with Close Your Eyes and Hang on Tight, a blogger who has a unique perspective on teaching her children. To learn from her the comfort she feels when she is challenged to defend her values and ideals. I would have to bring a list of all the questions that pop around the inside of my head like when you put too much popcorn in the pot.
How awesome would it be to go on a photo field trip with As We Walk, a blogger who also considers her camera just another appendage. To be able to learn from another’s perspective and appreciate the ‘perfect capture’ that otherwise would have remained undiscovered.
This is how I spent my morning. Meeting women I would love to have as next door neighbors. Women that, through their love of blogging and sharing, have enriched my life.
Thank you for being out there.
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Hosted by Peggy @ The Simple Woman
Outside My Window…the sun is just coming up and it is quiet in my backyard. I’m up before the birds and squirrells this morning.
I am thinking…about the new LifePac Science curriculum I bought this week. I am really impressed how ‘user friendly’ it is and I am ready to get Miss Sam started on it today. It’s a trial run to see how this system works for us. Over the past few months of ‘decompression’ I have come to realize that we need some (but not total) structure in our homeschool routine.
I am thankful for…the freedom to practice my religion and to be able to read my Bible whenever and wherever I choose. It is what has kept me steadily going forward this past week. He has been my refuge during a recent storm.
From the kitchen…my plan is to make hamburgers for lunch to go with some leftover mac and cheese. I am so not a gourmet cook.
I am wearing…my same old robe from a zillion years ago. I have bought many new ones but they always end up being given away. There is a comfort in this robe that I cannot find in any others that I bring home.
I am creating…Miss Sam’s Age Twelve scrapbook (finally!!). I started on it yesterday and am feeling that great sense of accomplishment. I have been scrapbooking since Miss Sam was born (thirteen years now) and I absolutely love this creative outlet.
I am going…to try and catch up with Heather’s Art Lessons!
I am reading...Blue Dahlia by Nora Roberts. I am definitely not a romance reader but I have always been able to be ’swept away’ by Nora Roberts.
I am hoping…I win the book The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer over at Carrie’s place Chocolate the Other White Meat. I love visiting Carrie. She is always a lot of fun and full of surprises!! Go by today and tell her hello.
I am hearing…the birds beginning to stir.
Around the house…there is dust on every surface. I just put in that never ending load of laundry - I need a towel to take a shower later. A few dishes remain in the sink from last night’s snacks. I hate doing dishes at night…night is for relaxing. The bed has not been made - it never is. Well, at least not my side. My husband makes up his side and leaves mine a tumbled mess. I hate making the bed - always have. I am one of those people that says ‘what the heck - you’re going to mess it up again in twelve hours or so’. Which is why there is dust on every surface ALL AROUND THE HOUSE. I mean what the heck…living here in Florida - it gets so dry that the dust creeps in every crevice 24/7. It’s a battle I fight once every few months (grin).
One of my favorite things…is doing this Daybook post every week.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Telling my agency that I plan on not counseling this summer, going to the bigger bigger city for a visit to Borders and lunch at Moe’s Southwest Grill and getting a handle on the routine necessary for completing the Science curriculum.
Here is picture thought I am sharing…
I am too busy taking pictures like these to dust (grin).
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I’m over here today.
Please stop by and say hello.
Don’t forget, if there is a question that you would like to have answered or a topic you would like to have discussed, be sure to email me at dbeverlyhills@gmail.com. All questions will remain anonymous. All answers will be sprinkled with my perspective.
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