I require a lot of stimulation and visuals for my mind’s creativity to work.  This is also true for my day to day journeying.  When things become too quiet and silent, I can panic.  The silence frightens me.  I am afraid I will go places that my mind does not need to go.  However, the silence is necessary.   We have to experience it on our journey.  Many of us seek silence as a refuge.  We view the experience very differently.  Our discomfort comes from the noise rather than the silence.  These individuals need to practice just the opposite of today’s reading.  I have found when I step in or out and accept which ever refuge I have, I can learn great things.  When I step into the silence and accept it, it makes me listen to my soul, my heart, and my Holy Spirit.  I grow and mature.  If silence is your enemy, step out and be brave this week!  Both are so important in order to complete our lives and provide guidance on our journeys!

In The Silence

It is very silent.

No sound.

No movement.

Quiet.

The quietness can be welcoming.

Or it can be frightening.

It tells of better days.

Or it tells of days wished for.

Silence can be a learning tool.

It can guide us through this life.

It is a time that puts us closer to the Holy Spirit.

Or it is a time that draws us down into the darkness.

Do you hear it?

Yes, that’s it!

You can’t hear it.

No thought, no conscious, no nothing.

Silence has to be accepted.

One cannot fight it.

It has to be absorbed.

It has to be admired.

Let the silence teach you.

Hear it out.

You might be told secrets of yourself.

It is better finding out who you really are.

The quiet can release your inner energy.

To think in places.

Or to dream on paths.

You never thought possible.

Silence can take us to see the scary parts of ourselves.

And it can show us the most precious parts of who we really are.

It speaks so loudly,

That I sometimes cannot hear anything else.

Do not let the fear stop you.

Speak!

Cast your anxiety upon the emptiness.

Let it build your confidence.

Quiet.

No movement.

No sound.

Silence.

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

I pray the silence speaks to you this week, and you can learn and grow.  We need silence, just as we need noise sometimes.  Find yourself, whether you are in the silence or the noise, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the examination of your heart, and the searching within your soul.  Thank you so very much for being with me this week!  I appreciate your contribution in spreading encouragement and positivity to so many people.  I know our days are very busy, and the time you share with me is so very valuable.  I pray you can be blessed, and you can bless those around you!  Now let’s be quiet a little!!!

Love,

Rennae

Journey

Have you ever had situations, circumstances, or relationships that seemed just dead on the surface?  Most of us have been there.  Either what once was promising, hopeful, or even flourishing just stagnates, withers, and dies.  Or it seems dead.  The winter scene this week reminded me of those many scenarios.  All can seem lost, and then within moments a glimpse of revival can change the course of the scenario then changing the outcome.  Underneath what appeared dead is life!  Survival that keeps us moving forward in life!  Hope just rises above the death.  Don’t let the dead fool you this week.  At any second, moment, or even day the survival can arise above the death!

Survivors of Death

Nothing appears to be alive.

All things I see are brown, brittle, and dead.

The ground is dry and crunchy.

Dampness hangs everywhere.

The longer you are surrounded by it.

The colder you get.

Nothing moves.

All things are hidden away.

Then one by one they start to appear.

They dart from tree to tree.

Trying to reach the feeders left for them.

Red, yellow, blue, brown—-blue birds, woodpeckers, chickadees, red birds.

All gather back and forth from trees to feeders.

Then at a glimpse I see the long, fluffy tail.

A squirrel appears on the fence.

Playing a game of hop-scotch.

The cold wind moves the trees.

Making them appear to be dancing.

All in synchrony like ballet dancers,

But bare without life.

Out of the thick, beige grasses,

Peaks a bunny.

Grey and furry sneaking out just a moment to grab anything green.

Then right back into her warm burrow.

The landscape looks barren.

Then very slowly a slight twitch of a snow, white tail moves.

She moves very slowly across the brown leaves blending right in.

Then as quickly as the deer came, she is gone.

What once seemed dead and gone,

Proves me wrong again.

Hidden beneath the death is a world of living survivors.

Survivors living and thriving til another green day.

I will never be fooled again.

What appears dead can revive again!

Who knows what treasures live beneath the death.

Magical survivors that will appear another day!

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

Thank you so much for joining me this week.  I pray blessings for the path you are traveling and the death you survive this week.  This week as you examine the winter landscape, search for those survivors, and do the same in the scenarios along your journey.  Our lives can be so enriched from the composting of the dead if we are willing to stop and look! Live as a survivor this week!

Love,

Rennae

Journey

I felt compelled this week to speak to each person’s heart.  What I have seen unfold in our country over the past 15-20 years has been very sad.  Many good people have fallen into the trap of believing that our country needs one person or a group of people to “save us”.  One of my searching questions is to save us from who or what?  Our bad or good choices, our good or bad decisions, people in “power”, people not in “power”, our own freedom, other people’s freedom, or what?  This “need for saving” has caused us to examine everyone else’s heart except our own.  And not in private, but out publicly for the world to see.  It also has caused us to think we depend on something other than our own Higher Power for inner peace, love, and protection.  I guess if this was the first time this had happened in various civilizations of the past, we would be surprised, but how has such a diverse humanity as we are, allowed itself to be sucked into a void of power.  The greatness in our humanity has always been differing in order to agree on the humane building blocks of any civilization.  We believe that these various differences make for a strong, stable group of humans.  My piece this week describes my struggle and pain in seeing my country torn apart by multiple non-humane individuals and groups, political, non-political, past, present, future, and all in between.  I pray my piece today helps you to think about each of our own parts in maintaining humanity with a civilization of love and strong convictions.  I hope we all remember there is always a strength greater than just one.  It is the powerful hearts and souls of the many that make up the Almighty One.

Convictions of Humanity

I search in my heart these days.

Seeking answers to questions that are perplexing.

Trying to make peace with humanity.

And trying to understand actions.

We are all always in a motion of change.

And humanity is always that way too.

But no matter the changes I am going through,

My basics of life remain the same.

There is always room for love.

Treating someone like I like to be treated is the only way to live.

Respect, toward others and ourselves, is a must for all people.

Staying strong in my beliefs is my constant.

I truly believe humanity is the same.

No matter the changes,

There are certain convictions that remain constant.

Unfortunately, many these days have lost these convictions of humanity.

And that leads me back to my questions.

It leads me back to my search.

Who decided these convictions of humanity were no longer needed?

No one person can do this for civilizations of humanity.

All have personal beliefs.

Beliefs with all the basic convictions spoken in different ways,

But behind all ways.

The convictions of humanity.

As my mind and heart tries to understand this perplexion.

I go back to my constant beliefs.

One of which is hope.

Hope meaning to dream, wish, or aspire.

I hope that humanity returns to its convictions.

I know not all of humanity will,

Because there are those that lack a love for humanity.

Those that seek power of self above all else.

But my wish is that there is more of humanity that seeks love instead of power.

Those that know no structure can make civilizations thrive and exist.

My wish is for humanity itself to ascertain love above all.

The only way for the existence of humanity to survive

Will be through the hearts and souls of each individual.

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

I hope this week I have sparked your brain on how you can be a part of strengthening our humanity.  How each of us, and us together can keep a civilization of honor and trust going.  In my heart I really feel we have relied on too many higher ups in our world to maintain this civilization.  We have thought the leadership of this country is what makes our humanity great, and it is not.  The building of this type of humanity begins in each of us.  It begins in the deepest parts of our souls and hearts.  Blessings on your part this week in carrying out the convictions of a great country in a great civilization!  We are the leaders setting the examples of mankind!

Love,

Rennae

Relationships

As the winter settles around us, there could be no more of a perfect time to examine the whispers in our heads.  Whispers of hope and plans telling us to do and be the very best we can be.  Winter provides the perfect background to address the whispers.  List them as they come to you, but leave a little space below each one.  Just jot down in a notebook or on a sticky.  Examine them.  Are they whispers that need validating or are they whispers that need to be dismissed?  Next what can you do with the whispers, or what do you want to do?  Star the ones that are most important to you.  Then as you go back over the ones most important, jot a simple statement down of what you want to see happen with this whisper.  Do not try to do this all at once.  Come back later and listen inside on how to make this whisper happen! This season is the perfect time to investigate and address the winter whispers!  Start today!  Tackle one at a time.  Plan for success on those that are truly important and being delivered by the Holy Spirit.  Sit back, listen for the whispers, and plan to succeed on the ones meant for you!

Winter Whispers

That good cup of coffee.

My comfy chair and whispers in my head.

Kisses from my fur babies.

Calls from my human babies.

Twinkle lights in the winter dark.

Muted woody trees against the cedars green.

The white birch trees appear to stand with snow layered on them.

Dry, brown leaves barely hang on to a few limbs.

All present a calm, unspoken word, whispers.

Showing us every blessing in this bleak season.

All the mysteries of our purpose hidden during any other day.

Treasures right in front of us.

The chilly, cold air makes us appreciate the warmth.

And the quiet that come with it allows the whispers to be heard.

The quiet provides us time to think and study life.

Life’s questions, life’s answers, life’s trials, and life’s joys.

The weak sun appears for minutes.

Illuminating all things in the trees and the hills.

We examine our hidden things too.

Whispers in our hearts and in our souls.

It is a time to be inside.

Nestled where we feel safe.

Opening ourselves up,

As the Earth opens up to us.

We can learn about ourselves by the winter whispers,

As we learn about the Earth.

Making goals and promises,

To who we are and who we want to become.

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

Thank you for being with me this week.  I hope your winter has been safe and enjoyable.  Bring your best out this season by growing from our winter whispers!  Don’t let them hold you back, but let them whisk you forward toward a promising future!  Stop, listen, and hear the silence speak!  Blessings and love to you and your families in this still quiet season!

Love,

Rennae

Grace

We made it!  Through pains, heartaches, and hardships!  We can say goodbye to a year that no one wants to reflect on.  I would love to thank all of you for understanding me being away for a little period of time.  My husband, Danny, did amazing with hip replacement surgery!  Our holidays were just wonderful with family and friends.  I cannot thank you enough for your thoughts and prayers.  Now we have a clean calendar and a new clock available to us.  Is this what heaven is like?  New beginnings with our slates wiped cleaned!  I hope so!  The feeling of hope and anticipation just swells in our hearts.  If each of us can move forward with joyful energy, love, and positive perspective, our light will be contagious and others cannot help but to join in!  I pray the piece today provides you with a great perspective on 2021.  This is one time and maybe the only time, I will say do not really worry about reflecting back.  Instead look forward!  Leap forward! Run forward!  Toward new hope and joy!

The New Year

The slate will be wiped away!

Have I not heard that before!

New hope with new dreams!

Memories to make.

Souls to satisfy.

We get to start over.

Begin again.

Going forward.

Future wishes to be fulfilled,

And relationships to grow.

Our breath signs a relief.

As we put the pains behind us.

Hopes do not lie in one of us,

But in all of our hands held tight.

We march toward the sun!

The light draws our hearts.

As we face the glorious future!

We have new goals,

With new directions,

And roads that lead to new experiences!

Here we go again!

A new second, a new moment, or a new hour.

To be filled with pictures of new celebrations.

Blue skies.

Fresh air.

We can attain the hope in our hearts.

We will dance with passion.

Sing with glee.

Hug and squeeze until our hearts overflow!

Every moment we are blessed with love!

New Year—Watch out!

We are coming your way!

To love,

To laugh,

And to live beyond even our own imaginations!

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

Thank you for rejoining me this week.  I pray I am back on track getting to share with you.  It means all the world to me that you take time to be with me every week.  May you and your family and friends be blessed on this new journey.  I am so glad we are given a new beginning to write other parts of our lives.  Go out there and live in 2021!

Love,

Rennae

Blessings

The day’s writing reflects those that do their jobs and passions with all their heart and soul.  In everyday life we meet one person after another and encounter many different people, but occasionally you meet that one special person that takes such pride in what they do.  They make you feel so precious and important just because of their true heart interest in you.  The piece today is about one such person.  You know if you have been blessed by this type of person, because you never forget what this person gave to your life.  So be attentive and do not miss these angels on Earth that God sends.  Whether it is the person fixing your deli sandwich or the person sacking your groceries, you do not want to miss out on the blessing these angels have for you!

The Pumpkin Man

The fruit stand sat right next to the river.

It stayed open all year long.

Offering veggies, flowers, Christmas trees, and pumpkins,

But the best offering was the little man that loved selling pumpkins.

This little man,

Really was not little at all.

He was tall and slender.

His demeanor was always calm.

He would help pick out the tomatoes,

Or he would scoop up roasted peanuts.

He would hold up your Christmas tree beside him,

So you could get just the right size for your house.

But what he loved the most was selling pumpkins.

When all the pumpkins came in,

He cared for them dutifully.

He delighted the most in helping others select the right ones.

His eyes would get a little sparkle.

If you were looking for a pumpkin to make pies,

He would turn each and every one,

Examining until he found the perfect one.

If you needed pumpkins to complete your Fall porch,

He would help stack many different types.

Then he would stand back with you and observe to get the perfect set.

He would lend his advice in such a kind way.

And when it came to a Jack-o-Lantern,

He would examine all sides of the pumpkin with precision.

He checked the stems and the bottoms,

And he always advised which side was perfect to carve!

Year after year the Pumpkin Man welcomed our family.

He graciously assisted us with our selections,

And he demonstrated his love for his joy in life beyond any saint,

Always recognizing what a family memory we were making.

Now many years have passed.

The Pumpkin Man is now caring for pumpkins in heaven,

But my family still misses the fruit stand,

And especially still misses the Pumpkin Man.

No matter what you do,

And no matter what others think,

Always do it like the Pumpkin Man.

With love, pride, soul, and heart.

For the greatest of those among us are the Pumpkin Man.

They know what time happiness is about,

And they know how to love others.

But most of all they know how to serve with joy in this world!

Making the lives of others important!

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

We miss our Pumpkin Man this season of the year.  But we know he is blessing so many in heaven, and he is being celebrated in heaven for the life he gave to others on this Earth.  I pray during this Thanksgiving season we can all be more like the Pumpkin Man and be a Thanksgiving blessing for others!

Thank you so much for being with me this week.  I am asking to please say prayers and lift up my sweet husband, Danny, in the weeks to come.  He has hip replacement surgery.  Your gracious thoughts and prayers would be so appreciated.  This may also cause me to not be with you for several weeks, as I am playing care giver.  Please include me in those prayers as well.  I wish you and your family an amazing Thanksgiving season!  And I give thanks for all that I have received, especially in my relationship with you!  Happy Thanksgiving and be a Pumpkin Man!

Love,

Rennae

Blessings

Wow!  Life is so hard!  I know we have all been in situations where decisions had to be made.  In many of those situations, we either knew the decisions could be for the negative or for the positive, but all the happenings led to having to make these tough calls.  Just knowing this makes our heads say “This is the logical thing to do.”, but then our hearts are saying “This is just not right.”.  You have empathy and sympathy from me if you have had to experience these calls like I have.  It makes you question “How to I live with myself?”.  To move through, we have to understand that we are discerning what the Holy Spirit is telling us.  

We must trust this battle to show us through this spiritual guidance in order that we make the very best choices.  At the same time, we have to understand the outcome has to be accepted as a learning opportunity!  Now—Is this all easy?  No!!!  But we must never give up!  Go through the battle, accept the decision, and rest in peace that you have listened to your spiritual guidance.  See if the written piece today speaks to your heart and your head!  

Head and Heart                        

I know in my head it is best.

But I feel in my heart it is not.

Reason and logic say things are right.

But my heart and soul say this should not have to be done this way.

My head challenges my heart, and my heart challenges my head.

Decisions in life are so hard.

Where is the manual?

When you have to start making these choices,

It is no where to be found.

So, you are left with what’s in your heart and what’s in your head.

We weigh goods, bads, and in betweens.

Trying to make the choices that are best.

If it is for yourself, there is a little less pressure.

But if it is for those you love,

The pressure is incredible.

We cry, tremble, and cry more.

As this battle begins,

Our physical body will clench teeth, race the heart, and tighten the fist.

When the battle progresses,

We feel a deep ache inside that pushes to be released.

As the battle draws to a close,

The ache rises to an explosion.

It is then that emotions and physical changes can be seen.

Our eyes weep with desperation.

Our hearts beat outside our bodies until the decision is done.

Then it is done.

We have to live with the decision.

The head continues to reassure.

While the heart continues to question.

The challenge between the head and the heart continues.

Acceptance sends us into the future.

Then the future brings another situation with another decision.

The questioning and guessing starts all over.

Am I right?  Am I wrong?  Will it work?  Will it fail?

The head says it is best, but the heart says it is not, and the battle begins again.

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

I pray that your head to heart battles are not too uncomfortable this week.  Listen for that spiritual guidance that is so essential.  As always, thanks for being with me this week.  I hope the piece has spoken to you in order that your head and heart can live together!  May your battles be peaceful this week, and your decisions be those that you can live with!

Love,

Rennae

Journey

I cannot believe our October festival is coming to an end.  I realize we have November that is suppose to carry on the Fall season, but we all know over the past years November has become more of the predecessor to Christmas than the completion of Fall.  I have taken these last days of October to count all my blessings that have been given to me in these days.  A dear, dear friend reminded me of these blessings this week.  October has brought so many!  It has been easier lately to focus on all the things that can lower our hope and focus on negative things and happenings, rather than seeing all the things we are blessed to have.  I am so blessed with family, friends, a home, freedom of worship, freedom of speech, meals, puppies, clothing, and the list could go on forever!  In addition to all of these, I am also given this beautiful, amazing, natural world to enjoy!  So take the last few days of our amazing October festival to say I am so blessed!

October Festival

Oh! October!

Touch my cheek with your whisper.

As I watch your wondrous colors dance,

My joy fills the landscape.

The fruit of your life,

The gourds, pumpkins, and apples,

Bring the taste of the fall spice

To my lips.

Your sunshine warms me.

When I sneak from beneath the shade,

And the sprinkling leaves,

Fall upon my shoulders as I walk among your brilliant flowers.

As your light sky turns to dusk,

The crackle of the fire draws me near.

Your chilled energies

Cuddle my soul to let me know I am safe.

Your leaving silently slips away.

The trees become bare and the grasses brown.

But you always exit in a blaze of glory,

With grinning jack o lanterns, fun, and treats!

Oh!  October!

I look forward to the surprises you give each year.

Acorns and gumballs to keep

On days when you are gone.

As I sip my warm cider,

You provide me a backdrop of oranges, reds, and yellows.

The musky smells blend with my cider,

And take me back to days of my childhood.

I take in my last days of a cool outside.

The joy that circulates in the veins of your leaves,

Run through mine,

Letting me know I can never forget what you offer.

Squirrels prance through your jewels.

Your berries spring forth among the colored leaves,

Just waiting for the deer.

Also giving one more dimension to your landscape.

As the bright moon sets through your cool air,

The crispness of your soul assures me of hope.

Your tree branches sway in the moon’s light,

And you guarantee a snuggle under my plaid comfy will soothe me.

Oh!  October!

Never leave us alone!

Always bring us your festival with all its gifts!

Because your time and gifts are so precious to us!

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

Thank you so much for joining me this week.  You are certainly one of my blessings this week!  And every week!  May this season open your eyes to all you have and all that you are blessed with.  Happy October festival and blessings to you and yours!

Love,

Rennae

Blessings

Over the past couple of weeks, I have been presented with death from all angles, as many of us have during this time.  I have been given previews of what it means to move on from this life.  I have found sadness, heartbreak, smiles of memories, cherished experiences, celebrations, love, and so much more.  However, this touch with life and death has made me understand and know every second counts.  We have this precious time to enjoy all these blessings given to us.  It has certainly made me realize I want to be present between that beginning and that end.  Living is hard, but it is precious.  We never know when that end will be, so we must caress every second!  This week evaluate your dots between the beginning and ending dates.  Let those dots be your celebration and your purpose for living!

Dots Between The Dates

Is this all that makes up life?

A beginning,

And an end.

With moments between.

Is there not more?

There are the big moments,

Like learning to walk or talk,

And then there are little ones like sleeping.

We are usually protected by family early in these times,

And our days of play go on forever.

New foods are experiments,

And all the senses are heightened.

All sorts of happenings begin to occur.

In the space and time we call life.

New friends are made.

A lot of learning builds in these moments.

These little spaces are filled with socializing and growing.

The next thing we know we are no longer depending on family.

Then we are not looked upon as a child anymore.

We are seen as an adult, and the days still seem so long.

You have been given all the time in the world.

Jobs present themselves giving you purpose.

And you find a love of your life,

Which brings a family with more hearts.

Then little by little the days shorten.

As the middle age approaches, the holidays start meeting each other.

Children grow to become their own persons.

Retirement seems to be at your fingertips.

Before you know it,

7 pm disappears

And 7 am reappears very quickly.

The day passes in a blink.

It is during these times that the darkness tries to beat you down.

Over and over and over.

Our only saving grace

Is for those that love us and lift us up.

You fight,

And get up cherishing the air in each of these spaces.

You are knocked down again,

To only get up and go again.

So here you are.

No time left.

Barely a moment for a goodbye.

Your seconds are gone.

This life appears to be so complicated.

But indeed it is very simple.

The space, time, and moments are up.

And your experience in this realm ends.

Those we have held and loved are left behind,

And we are sent toward our next space and time.

So—-love while you can.

Make every moment count.

Let your spirit hope.

Hope that one day you will find these loves again.

You can say yes there is more to life,

And I will make all the space, time, and moments count.

There is a beginning,

And there is an end.

And there are many memories, celebrations, and experiences between,

With all the love one can stand!

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

My prayer this week is that your time will be used wisely.  I hope you can spend your moments on the many blessings we are given.  Thank you so much for being with me this week.  I respect your time, and I am so thankful you spend that time with me!  I will venture to the mountains next week to be with our son (making those dots count!), so please join me again in two weeks.  Now go out during this blessed Fall season and celebrate your time on those dots!!

Love,

Rennae

Journey

Boy—Do we all need to dance right now!  I know I need this bright season to energize me and lift my hope.  I need to be swallowed up in the colors, the smells, and the feels that are so amazing this time of year.  I would not miss this season for anything.  I hope you do as me and do not just sit back to enjoy all of these offerings of this season but hop up and get out there to be in this amazing season!  Do not take this season for granted.  Try to be lifted up and let your hope rise to the occasion.  Come on out and dance with me in the leaves!

Fall Waltz

Come dance with me.

Let’s tippy toe,

And float,

And dance among the colored leaves!

Let’s make our hearts sing,

And our souls recite what we believe.

Picking up acorns,

And waltzing with the squirrels.

You and I need to caress the pumpkins,

Touching every orange shade.

Even the ombre ones.

Following the curve of their stems with our fingers.

Let’s smell all the apples.

The sweet, the sour, the vibrant, and the dull.

Being tempted all we can stand,

We will nibble and bite away!

We will gather the cornstalks,

Bundling them with a sweet ribbon.

They will be our partners in the serenade.

Tickling our checks with their tassels!

The tall bronze grasses will take my hand.

We will leap and jump for joy.

As the cool, fall breeze wipes away our fears,

Their soft sheaves will cascade along with me.

As I sit below the colored oak,

My voice will wander through its branches.

My voice will say rejoice!

And dance to the heavens with the oak’s limbs!

The goldenrods will lure me to the dance floor,

With their colors and swaying.

And the ironweed will guide my way in each step.

Both of their colors encouraging me with hope.

Hope for another dance!

Maybe for another season.

And even hope with old and new partners.

A waltz that shows me hope deep within my soul.

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

I hope your week is blessed!  May the Fall experience lift you up and encourage your soul.  Thank you so very much for being with me and sharing your time.  I appreciate you being open to the inspiration I have to offer!  God bless you and your family this week.  And don’t forget grab a partner and dance!

Love,

Rennae

Blessings