Author Archives: Patricia Ann

Celebrating Life

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On Saturday I attended two different life celebrations. One was a memorial for a dear friend’s husband, and the other was an 80th birthday party for a dear friend. Both events celebrated a continuation of  life; one here, and one in the hereafter. One celebration was as moving as the other, and I would not have missed either for anything.

Sunday’s events, besides the church service, were a committal and a concert. Once again different celebrations in different ways. The committal saw another member of our congregation on his way to continuing life, and the concert celebrated life’s commitment to music and song with a neighbouring church. The hymns we sang were chosen in memory of loved ones of that church’s congregation who also had transitioned.

It was a wonderful weekend of song and celebration, honouring the lives of those with us and those who haved passed on; a weekend of celebrating life.

To Your Self Be True

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In 2003, for whatever reason (memory fails me), I wrote the following for someone special in my life.

To Your Own Self Be True

Act in the way that is true to your own intelligence and beliefs.

Remember that no one can rob you of your own power unless you allow them to do so.

Stand tall and face indignity with dignity, and indecency with decency.

Look truth in the face and use it to overcome deceit.

Remember the respect you have for yourself and those you love, and let no one rob you of that respect.

Always use your inner strength to walk away from a bad situation, and where possible, take someone with you who needs to lean on your strength until they discover their own. The life you save may be your own or that of a friend.

Remember that you are loved dearly by those who matter. Love yourself just as dearly, always.

 

 

 

 

Talk About Being Human!

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There was a “Thinking of You” card in my mail box yesterday that brought tears to my eyes. It was from a young lady whom I have neither seen nor talked to in a very, very long time.

Apparently she was acknowledging the women who had touched her life in a positive way many years ago by sending them notes of appreciation.

Her words brought to mind yesterday’s post on being human. Her words were thoughtful, caring, uplifting, appreciative, encouraging; in short she was a human being being human.

How wonderful is that?

I had already had a bright day with a dear friend, and that young lady’s card made it even brighter.

I love my fellow human beings!

A Human Being vs Being Human

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Here’s a quote that came my way yesterday: “There is a lot of difference between a human being and being human.” Interesting concept, don’t you think?

We could never fully define either, but to my mind, a human being is just that…being alive, being busy, being active, being in love, being joyful, being sad, being hungry, being here, being there, being sick, being healthy…and on and on and on…boundless descriptions of what a human being is all about.

Being human on the other hand is being all the things we are meant to be as humans: caring, loving, compassionate, thoughtful, truthful, considerate, kind, faithful, fruitful, interested, attentive…and on and on and on…boundless descriptions of what being human is all about.

Please feel free to add your input. It would make me very happy to hear from you…after all, I’m only human.

Soul vs Self

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“I like my soul better than my self.” This comment was made in our group discussion on Soul Keeping last Wednesday evening. It was made by me, and I meant it. Why would I say that? Paul says it best in Romans 7:15 “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”

In my case, this is mostly a matter of my procrastination habit, which stems from a worse habit of wasting time. Time is our most precious commodity, and knowing that, I can still fritter it away on the most useless activities. There is only my self to blame.

Paul goes on to say in verse 22 “For in my inner being I delight in God’s law.” Our inner being is our soul, and that’s where I must learn to be more present. Our soul can do no wrong and waste no time, and that is why I say, “I like my soul better than my self.”

Soul Searching

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My soul has always held a deep fascination for me because I can never quite grasp the full concept of it. Therefore, I’m taking a six week course called Soul Keeping. It is based on a book by John Ortberg, pastor, writer, and speaker in Menlo Park, California.

Last night his video touched on a passage from Dallas Willard’s book, Renovation of the Heart:

“Our soul is like an inner stream of water, which gives strength, direction and harmony to every other element of our life. When that stream is as it should be, we are constantly refreshed and exuberant in all we do because our soul itself is then profusely rooted in the vastness of God and his kingdom, including nature; and all else within us is enlivened and directed by that stream. Therefore we are in harmony with God, reality, and the rest of human nature and nature at large.”

I also learned that the four parts of a human being are soul, body, mind, will. The soul encompasses the other three parts and the course goes into each of these aspects of our being. I was aware of these four parts but unsure of their order.

This course promises to be a very good learning experience and may give me the answers to my soul searching.

 

Courage of Our Convictions

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A wonderful program just aired on CBC radio. It seems that the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that The Lord’s Prayer is no longer allowed in political arenas.

However, Oshawa’s mayor, John Henry, continues to begin Council proceedings with that prayer, along with the singing of Oh Canada.

Many cities who followed the practice have ceased to do so.

Mr. Henry said most council members were in favour, and those who weren’t could spend that time in whichever reflection they chose.

God bless John Henry for having the courage of his convictions.

God keep our land glorious and free!

On Positivity

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A positive thinker does not refuse to recognize the negative; we refuse to dwell on it. Positive thinking is a form of thought which habitually looks for the best results from the worst conditions. Norman Vincent Peale.

I’m not positive, but I think thinking positive is positively the only way to think. Unknown source.

Have a positive weekend. 🙂

Awareness

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Too often we walk through life unaware of what takes place around us. Following is a brief excerpt from my poetry collection. It actually took place in my garden one warm summer day, just the way it is written.

ON BEING AWARE

One summer day

I asked the Lord

to make me more aware

and in that instant

watched a sparrow

catch an insect

in midair.

Something About Brain Cells

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Charles L. Allen wrote the following in his book, “All Things Are Possible Through Prayer”:

“We use different parts of the brain for different purposes. We use the upper brain cells when we worry and brood and feel fear. The lower brain cells control the muscular activities of the body so that when we engage in physical activity, it relieves the upper brain cells and allows them to function normally.”

The next time you are in the clutches of worry, fear, or anxiety try jogging on the spot, scrubbing a floor, or dancing a jig and notice how those nagging emotions give way to the new activity.

It works for me.