In these days due to so many methods of technology, we can very easily develop a negative attitude.  We must work hard at finding the positive and filling our days with positivity.  I certainly know it is a difficult thing to do.  We get into the day to day schedules, work, appointments, and obligations.  Then we are hit with negative story after negative story in the media.  Of course, other people are being sucked in too, so they are sharing as well.  Soon we tend to only see horrible struggles of daily life.  We have to just turn it off!!!  Literally!!  Turn off the methods of technology that are bringing you into this world.  Find and seek out positive media areas, positive people, and positive environments.  Most of all actually start pointing put your blessings to yourself and pointing out the blessings of others around you!  Look and see all of the blessings you have.  When I start observing and listing mine, I go what a wonderful life!  I will see a blessing here, there, and everywhere!  Join me this week and think about your many blessings as I share several of mine.

The Best Day of My Life

As the cool wind swirled,

And the March sunshine came down.

I met them in the yard.

I had never smelled much less held such a vibrant, delicate flower!

The best day of my life was the day I met the daffodils!

 

The gym was crowded with fans cheering their teams.

Fun banter could be heard between the fans.

Then there he sat confident and handsome.

There I sat trying not to show my admiration!

The best day of my life was the day I found my love and soul mate!

 

The days were difficult and filled with sickness.

But the anticipation was so joyful!

Preparation and planning were going on for months.

I saw their beautiful eyes and held their small, sweet hands.

The best day of my life was the day I greeted my children into this world!

 

It is hard to realize the child you held is now holding his own!

The legacy you wanted for love came from sweet angels planned by God.

All so different and all so like the family.

Their eyes bright with hope!

The best day of my life was holding my grandchildren in my arms!

 

The smells could never be forgotten.

And the savory tastes lingered.

She and I would pinch and toss in the perfect seasonings.

The end products were presentable for any great restaurant!

The best day of my life was cooking with Em!

 

You could smell the dirt and warmth rise from the Earth.

We could feel softness and warmness between our toes and on our fingers.

The seeds all finding their places in the nurturing Earth.

The stories were long and revealing.

The best day of my life was gardening with my Jim.

 

The rhythm of the swing was like an instrument.

A slight breeze blew past us with each note.

The train whistle joined the rhythm.

Her arm was safely around me and made this composition unforgettable.

The best day of my life was swinging on the front porch with Mama Hick.

 

The waves flowing across our feet.

The boys riding boards in the white caps.

The little one building castles in the sand.

The best day of my life was family vacations on the beach with the souls I love!

 

Hustle and bustle would go on to get everything on the table.

The smells of good food wafted through the house.

The warnings to grab their drinks were yelled.

The talk, the stories, the laughter, and the moments.

The best day of my life were the meals around the table with my family!

 

Tubes were everywhere.

The body was still except for the breathing tube and heartbeat on the monitor.

The days were long, somber, and scary.

Then he spoke and woke up!

The best day of my life was the day my man awakened!

 

Soft fur cuddled next to me.

Tails wagging as I get home.

A big wet kiss on my nose as I wake up in the morning.

They require nothing but my love.

The best day of my life is always with my puppies!

 

The excitement has spread out into the hall.

The anticipation of doing the experiment can be seen on all their faces.

Today they will learn something new in a new exciting way.

Today I will get to share facts and truths.

The best day of my life was watching a student discover learning in my classroom!

 

As I think back, so many days are the best days!

Days filled with new beginnings.

All completing an exceptional journey.

I really have discovered the best day of my life is every day of my life!

Because every day breaths blessings into my soul!

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

Count the best days of your life this week.  Those days may include small blessings or large blessings, but all are blessings!  Make sure you understand I am not saying to ignore your passions for helping others.  You can continue to follow that passion and still avoid falling into a negative world.  I pray today and all the following tomorrows, you can enjoy your blessings and have the most positive life!

Love,

Rennae

 

 

Blessings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How is your faith?  That is a question I would try and dodge some days!  Why?  Because today my faith might be strong and outstanding, as where tomorrow it might be weak and flimsy.  Faith is always stepping into the unknown, trusting that the Creator is always there.  There is where I get into trouble because my emotions and mind carry me off into a million different direction, instead of being focused toward the one way.  I really feel God wanted faith for our relationship with Him, because He wanted us to also practice this faith in our relationships with others.  It is just incredible how He demonstrates to us how to be a good human being.  He uses things like faith, love, trust, and many more inspiring qualities in teaching us how to get along with others.  It is just sometimes so difficult!  Especially the faith!  If I could just get consistent!  But I know the most important thing is that I keep trying to be consistent.  Even when my track record is not perfect.  I know the Creator is not giving up on me, so I cannot give up on myself.  Enjoy the prose this week!  Let your faith grow!

Faith

A word used by so many.

Yet understood by very few.

Actions and fate are believed to be faith.

Prayers and religions are said to be faith.

 

Do we really know?

What is faith?

Can I put my hands on it?

Can I give it away?

 

I doubt it!  Oh—my goodness!

Doubt can be faith, too!

How can I know faith?

If I haven’t experienced doubt?

 

The opposite of each always provides us with the truth.

The opposite of faith is fear.

Faith lets us believe in tomorrow.

Faith does not allow for the fear we can have.

 

The seed is faith.

Plants and flowers are produced from faith.

The trust in others is faith.

When others disappoint, we have faith.

 

The step forward is faith.

Faith saves us from regression.

Death and life are faith.

Now and then are faith.

 

Knowing that what we have experienced provides growth.

Knowing that what lies ahead provides strength.

But faith is most of all knowing that relationships are our faith.

And our journey cannot be a journey without relationships.

 

The past cannot be changed.

I cannot always form the future.

But I must not fear the unknown.

Predicting the present cannot be done without faith.

 

I can have faith that those I am with

Are the past, the future, the unknown, and the present.

They are the faith I know so little of.

They are the hope I have faith in.

 

A word spoken by so many.

Yet will never be understood by anyone.

Even though I cannot see or touch or understand.

I will have it because there is something there greater than myself.

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

I feel the point of this week is to never give up.  Even if we are weak today, it does not mean we can’t be strong in our faith tomorrow.  Do not fear, be brave, and practice that faith this week!  My prayers are sending faith, trust, and love for you this week!

Love,

Rennae

 

 

Journey

 

 

With all the green abounding this month, St. Patty’s Day, trees leafing, and grass greening, I was reminded of that little green monster, jealousy, that slips into our lives.  Unfortunately, this little demon gets the best of us.  I am not talking about just envying money or materials items.  I am also speaking about even desiring other peoples’ jobs, their family, and even their life style.  Jealousy can cause us to only see others and what they have and our desire to want what they have.  Jealousy strikes anyone at any age and at any time.  You should not be ashamed, because everyone has thoughts even though we don’t always voice them.  However, you do have options to gauge your mind back in the right direction when it follows this creature.  My piece this week talks about this and how or what we really need to do when the monster comes after us!  Read today and hopefully next time the green eyes come seeking you, you will really be strong and know the right thing to do!  You will make the right choice that creates happiness in your heart!

Why Not Me?

How can it be that we think we need what someone else has?

Jealousy creeps its way into our minds and our hearts.

We are so worried about what they have.

We ignore what blessings are poured upon us.

We want what they have.

 

Instead of celebrating with them and for them,

We ask question after question of why them and not me?

It is the mind games all over again and again.

Jealousy is the green shadow that clouds our lighted vision.

It hides the correct perception we should have of the world.

 

Jealousy distorts the truth.

It causes heartache and pain.

Jealousy is the seed of hate.

Jealousy brings out lies in the very best of people.

It draws away from our own gifts.

 

Others have their portion given by God.

We also have our blessed part,

But we simply are too ignorant to comprehend.

When this evil shadow continues to fight in controlling our minds,

We have to fight back.

 

Prayers of thank are how we fight.

Acknowledge the grace you are given.

Desire goodness, greatness, and love for our neighbors.

We have to want what God wants for us.

Because satisfaction and contentment come from acceptance of oneself.

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

As the green appears everywhere this month enjoy it in the right places but fight the desire to feed the green monster.  Give those thanks and say those blessings for everything you are given.  You are special the way you are, where you are, and what all you have!  You are you in this time with what you have and where you need to be—-not someone else.  Enjoy the green trees and grass that were given for you to freely enjoy this week!  Enjoy with a joyful and peaceful heart, not an envious one.

Love,

Rennae

 

 

Journey

 

I don’t know how many times I have looked at the younger photos of myself and just did not recognize who I saw.  As life has progressed, I have noticed this more.  We reflect back where we were and who we were, and we can not help but to compare with where we are now and who we are now.  We can even become judgmental if we do step back and see the whole image.  It can be a real personal check up on oneself.  This can be for a good tool, or it can be a bad tool if you use it against yourself.  We are the very hardest evaluators on ourselves.  Reflecting as I have done should be used for positive results or results that help one to grow and improve.  With what all you have done and accomplished be true to how far you have come.  Be truthful but be fair.  The biggest thing is don’t let it scare you to reflect.  We can all dig up skeletons that can be challenging.  However, our digging can reveal some real jewels and treasures that we would not dare want to forget.  Read my post today as I have shared with you my experience.

Images

She stared at the photo.

Wondering where this young face had gone.

She could not recognize the eyes of the one that held the hope.

The person she saw seemed far away in another time or in another world.

 

She stared at the face in the mirror.

Wondering how this face looked so tired.

She could see the lines of worry and also the ones from smiles.

Her eyes were dim with just a small flame.

 

How could the two visions be so far apart?

They were the same person.

Holding the same hope, love, and passion in their heart.

Physically they appeared the same, but there was a change.

 

The one in the photo dreamed of traveling places across the country and the world.

Her young heart saw her succeeding in helping others.

She felt confident and strong.

She searched for love, adventure, and excitement.

The young face in the photo knew where these adventures would be and why.

 

As where the woman in the mirror felt tired and stretched.

This woman could not see a passion in her future.

She doubted if her visits to extravagant place could ever take place due to her body.

The face in the mirror yearned for new adventures in new directions.

She searched for love, peace, and joy.

 

How could the two be so far apart?

Why would the mirror face not see through to the youth’s image?

Living had provided blessings and joys,

But it had also brought pain and suffering.

 

The existence of the face in the mirror had changed to one of survival.

The face in the photo showed one challenging survival.

The mirror showed the dents in her heart.

As where the photo envisioned the heart that extended out to the world.

 

The more she gazed on the face in the mirror,

The more she began to recognize the face in the photo.

She touched her cheek and then her forehead.

The memories of her passion came to mind,

 

She ran her fingers through her hair.

Now short and dignified.

She tilted her chin up,

And felt a little more respect.

The strength rose from her heart.

 

The mirror reflected a woman who had cared for a family.

A woman who had cared for children.

A strong woman with endurance and confidence.

One who could overcome all the beatings of life.

No matter what was thrown her way.

 

She turned to see the photo one last time.

To her surprise it contained the image of the woman in the mirror.

The smile in each face was the same.

The eyes were lite with a deep glowing violet.

 

The aura glowed around the face whether in the photo or the mirror.

She knew life and circumstances were not the same.

But she had the same heart and love.

She was passionate, loving, caring, and joyful!

 

The photo mirrored her journey.

The mirror photographed her living.

The soul in both predicted her path forward.

Turning the lights out, both faded into her mind.

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

Look in that mirror or stare at that photo today and realize how amazing you are!  Realize this image is a stunning, strong, and incredible person. The image that portrays your own journey.  You have all the right lines, dents, and creases for the right reasons.  Look at that photo and know it produced your image in the mirror and understand this is the image of your journey and no one else!  I send love and respect for the courage you have in reflecting upon your great life!

Love,

Rennae

 

Journey