Post #333

12 September 2020

Saturday Stopover – #1

Lynda McKinney Lambert
in her Zen Meditation Garden

with  Lynda McKinney Lambert
This morning I am sharing an article by Tasha Halpert, which I found on Campbell’s World Blog.

Read it now!

Saturday Stopover is a NEW FEATURE  

I will VISIT and SHARE blog posts that are positive, inspiring, and remarkable…

A SATURDAY STOPOVER. 

I’ve prepared some delicious coffee for you this morning.

Thank you for visiting with me on the Saturday Stopover today.

Here is my first SATURDAY STOPOVER  

Read it here – Love Notes #939

READ my  response to Tasha Halpert’s article:

Today, I am sharing some  thoughts on this remarkable year, 2020.

This is a year to remember that we  are  all in charge of our own thoughts.

Most importantly, we can make sure to remain free of fear and depressing thoughts. I like to read  books and blogs that are down-to-earth and focus on  positive reflections of everyday life during the challenges and opportunities of every day.

For instance,  I have shopped online for years.  I live in a small rural community in western Pennsylvania  and my husband and I no longer drive. Shopping online is perfect for seniors like us who have no other ways of getting essentials other than food.  I  shop for all clothing online.  It is very rare that I would be out shopping in an actual physical store.  But,  I know the particular designers who create clothing that fits me perfectly, so I can shop so easily this way.  I even order all the dog and cat food online. It arrives within two days usually – and all we have to do is step onto the porch to pick it up and bring it into the house. Wonderful!

We cannot get groceries this way, so we get someone to take us to the grocery store about once a month.  We can also get our meds there, so we plan ahead for our needs.

About once a week, we order something from the nearby pizza shop and have it delivered.  I am looking into getting on the Meals on Wheels program, for my husband needs to eat better than he does.  My husband is in remission from Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He is living with additional challenges, so food is a often a problem

As for my daily activities, nothing has changed at all for me.  I have worked in my studio making art, or in my office writing.  I did this even when I worked full-time teaching – the only great thing now is that I no longer have to leave my home to work in the classrooms because I retired in 2008.  I love being at home full-time.  I love taking care of our house, husband, 2 dogs, and 8 cats (3 of the cats are feral and live outside). I love walking the dogs day and night, and it gives me a reason to be out looking into the sky before dawn each day. The world that surrounds us is a marvelous place, and my outings with the dogs keep me focused on the majesty of this place where we live for such a short time.  It is perfect, splendid, and so full of color day and night.

We cannot do one activity right now.  We cannot go to the gym 3 mornings a week and have lunch there afterward.  We used to get the access van to take us and bring us home – but with everything closed, that is not a possibility.

Since March, we have only gone to a restaurant a few times.  We are taking advantage of the opportunity now to make some beautiful  changes in our home.  We just had the kitchen refreshed.  We selected new colors, different countertops, flooring, ceramic tile.  We are making plans to have the living and dining rooms refreshed later this year.  I have to say that this has been the most creative and inspiring year possible, filled with new opportunities for getting my work published. Also, I’ve been in  some art exhibitions and won awards this year. I am working on a revision of my first book  Concerti: Psalms for the Pilgrimage, Kota Press, that is out of print.

I completed my second chapbook and working on 3 more book projects.

I think that everything begins in mind – when we change our thinking to pursue our goals and dreams and never allow fear or discontent to enter into our perception – life is excellent. The key is to have a DREAM and be willing to follow that dream to the end of the world, go through whatever battles we face along the way – and keep our thoughts focused and free from anything that could distract us. For me, I learned to live my life with a “Dreaming Prayer,” which I encountered in a book, Beyond Our Selves: A Womans Pilgrimage in Faith by Catherine Marshall.

That book made all the difference in my life, forever.

Regardless of any circumstances, we have the opportunity and the privilege to speak with God in person day and night. He is not off on a distant planet.  He did not create humanity then fly away to watch from a long distance. No, he created humans to be a reflection of HIMSELF.  For his great pleasure and companionship.  The Living God  lives within us if we have asked Jesus to forgive us for our sins, and to come into our hearts and be our King.  I did, and He did. He is my King!

My final thought is from my favorite blogger, Cristian Mihai.  One year ago, he  wrote, “What’s Your Purpose.”

This is the final paragraph of Mihai’s essay:
“If I could give people something truly meaningful, I’d offer them the ability to pursue their biggest dream with unflinching determination. I’d give them the heart to follow this dream to the end of the world. No matter what. Because, honestly, there’s no other battle quite like it.”  Read article here.

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Courtesy of Lynda McKinney Lambert.  Copyright September 12, 2020. All rights reserved.

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Who IS?  Lynda McKinney Lambert