http://www.bellsouthpwp.net/c/o/couchmt/cardofweek/today.html
Please click on the above link for a beautiful poem
Enjoy
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
A pencil in need of sharpening.....
This beautiful post was written by my good friend Cheryl. In these times of transition that my family have been going through, it was the best thing I could have read. Hopefully Cheryl won't mind if I "borrow" it for my blog to share with others, and to remind myself of the lesson:(my pencil has become dull, and is in great need of a little sharpening)Here is what Cheryl had to write............
Though I don't always remember the lesson as well as I would like, I often reflect on a principle I learned several years ago by reading a book by a Japanese-American woman I greatly admire, Cheiko Okazaki. I've always loved her writings, as hers is the elegant, yet rare voice of both brutal honesty and enthusiastic optimism. In one of her addresses to the women in church, Cheiko talks about her years growing up as a Japanese woman in a primarily Caucasion society, where she often felt like she didn't quite fit. She explains that as she grew, and came to understand her purpose in life, she became a champion for differences!
She said, "...look around...Do you see women of different ages, races, or different backgrounds...Of different educational, marital, and professional experiences? Women with children? Women without children? Women of vigorous health and those who are limited by chronic illness or handicaps? Rejoice in the diversity of our sisterhood! It is the diversity of colors in a spectrum that makes a rainbow."
by Marcia Diane
She further explained that no matter what our specific individual circumstances, we can each have a profound impact on the lives of those around us. She explains, "Do not feel that your gift is insignificant. Mother Teresa says, 'I’m a little pencil in the hands of God. He does the thinking. He does the writing. He does everything—and it’s really hard-—sometimes it’s a broken pencil. He has to sharpen it a little more. But be a little instrument in His hands so that He can use you anytime, anywhere. We have only to say Yes to Him'.”
When I am feeling a bit discouraged because I can't seem to accomplish all the things I set out to do (or rarely even half of them), I try to remember Cheiko's (and Mother Teresa's) wisdom. I envision myself as a pencil......albeit a fat, stubby, chewed on, worn-down eraserless pencil.I try to remind myself that I don't have to be perfect to do something. I can give a part of me. All I need do is say YES.
Whether or not one shares my Christian philosophy is irrelevant. While I personally believe that while in God's service, He will magnify us to be more capable than we would normally be, the principle is equally true for nonbelievers. Whether we are saying "YES" to God or simply "YES" to ourselves, we become stronger in the act of doing. Instead of holding back our gifts (creativity) because we fear they may not be good enough, or well-received, or whatever the case may be; instead, we must move forward with courage. We have to trust that our best efforts WILL matter. We will believe that our unique gifts DO make a difference in our own lives and in the lives of others. We commit ourselves to sharing our gifts, talents, or simple acts of service. We have faith (or even the tiniest bit of hope) that in so doing, we will be filled with personal purpose. The spectrum of our collective rainbow will shine brighter, bringing joy to those within its arching reach.
Though I don't always remember the lesson as well as I would like, I often reflect on a principle I learned several years ago by reading a book by a Japanese-American woman I greatly admire, Cheiko Okazaki. I've always loved her writings, as hers is the elegant, yet rare voice of both brutal honesty and enthusiastic optimism. In one of her addresses to the women in church, Cheiko talks about her years growing up as a Japanese woman in a primarily Caucasion society, where she often felt like she didn't quite fit. She explains that as she grew, and came to understand her purpose in life, she became a champion for differences!
She said, "...look around...Do you see women of different ages, races, or different backgrounds...Of different educational, marital, and professional experiences? Women with children? Women without children? Women of vigorous health and those who are limited by chronic illness or handicaps? Rejoice in the diversity of our sisterhood! It is the diversity of colors in a spectrum that makes a rainbow."
by Marcia Diane
She further explained that no matter what our specific individual circumstances, we can each have a profound impact on the lives of those around us. She explains, "Do not feel that your gift is insignificant. Mother Teresa says, 'I’m a little pencil in the hands of God. He does the thinking. He does the writing. He does everything—and it’s really hard-—sometimes it’s a broken pencil. He has to sharpen it a little more. But be a little instrument in His hands so that He can use you anytime, anywhere. We have only to say Yes to Him'.”
When I am feeling a bit discouraged because I can't seem to accomplish all the things I set out to do (or rarely even half of them), I try to remember Cheiko's (and Mother Teresa's) wisdom. I envision myself as a pencil......albeit a fat, stubby, chewed on, worn-down eraserless pencil.I try to remind myself that I don't have to be perfect to do something. I can give a part of me. All I need do is say YES.
Whether or not one shares my Christian philosophy is irrelevant. While I personally believe that while in God's service, He will magnify us to be more capable than we would normally be, the principle is equally true for nonbelievers. Whether we are saying "YES" to God or simply "YES" to ourselves, we become stronger in the act of doing. Instead of holding back our gifts (creativity) because we fear they may not be good enough, or well-received, or whatever the case may be; instead, we must move forward with courage. We have to trust that our best efforts WILL matter. We will believe that our unique gifts DO make a difference in our own lives and in the lives of others. We commit ourselves to sharing our gifts, talents, or simple acts of service. We have faith (or even the tiniest bit of hope) that in so doing, we will be filled with personal purpose. The spectrum of our collective rainbow will shine brighter, bringing joy to those within its arching reach.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Swine Flu Epidemic/post borrowed from Lolly :)
This whole swine flu thing is absolutely CRAZY. People are freaking out and I'm not sure why. From what I understand, if you get the flu, you have normal flu symptoms, hopefully get to take Tamiflu, and recover after a week. No one wants to be sick, but I don't think it is any deadlier than the chicken pox, and it definitely has not killed as many people and the plain old broken down flu.
I don't know how many people live in texas, my guess is 100's of 1000's. 17 people have been confirmed with the swine flu. I'm sorry for a family that has suffered a loss, but just because you get the swine flu doesn't mean you are going to die, or even get close.
Statistics I read said that so far this year, 19,000 people have died from the regular flu. We don't really freak out about that.
School districts have closed down for days. I hurt for those parents. In most cases, the parents have to work and if they don't work, they don't get paid. The officials have asked day cares to close and families not to go out in public. That is not going to happen, and if it does, the businesses will suffer as well as the parents.
In the economic times that we have right now, Economic Crisis + Swine Flu Freak Out = Total Disaster.
I don't know how many people live in texas, my guess is 100's of 1000's. 17 people have been confirmed with the swine flu. I'm sorry for a family that has suffered a loss, but just because you get the swine flu doesn't mean you are going to die, or even get close.
Statistics I read said that so far this year, 19,000 people have died from the regular flu. We don't really freak out about that.
School districts have closed down for days. I hurt for those parents. In most cases, the parents have to work and if they don't work, they don't get paid. The officials have asked day cares to close and families not to go out in public. That is not going to happen, and if it does, the businesses will suffer as well as the parents.
In the economic times that we have right now, Economic Crisis + Swine Flu Freak Out = Total Disaster.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Mine That Bird
One word: Amazing. I won't lie I really didn't think this horse had a chance. I love his sire Birdstone who captured my heart almost five years ago with his win over Smarty Jones in the Belmont Stakes and today he sired one of the finest Kentucky Derby longshots of all-time. Great job by the connections, great job Calvin the most emotional athlete I have ever seen in ANY sport. Great job Bird.
Friday, May 1, 2009
This is where I call Home....
Are you jealous?? Just kidding, I know there are beautiful places all over the world, many of which I still aim to see someday. But this is where I prefer to call home for now! Nothing to me is prettier than North Texas in the Spring! The new foals and Bluebonnets are sprouting up all over the place!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Oklahoma City
We spent most of last week in Oklahoma City for the BBR Finals. Danielle had qualified on two horses to run in this barrel race. We loaded up Mia and Dee and headed North. First of all let me say that Destry Fleming puts on one heck of a barrel race. Upon arrival we were met outside the barns by Quinn, who pulled up in his golf cart and promptly unloaded all of the horsey supplies and headed off to the barns to help get the stalls set up. We've been to quite a few big shows and have never had the valet service upon check in....it was wonderful. By the second day Quinn was most likely wishing he had never laid eyes on Danielle and her friend Kara. Anytime they had a problem, they were off to find there trusty friend Quinn. Setting up the fans in the stalls was probably the most painful job for poor Quinn, he had to boost Danielle up to reach the outlet to plug in the fan, Quinn must have overlooked the spurs on Danielle's boots but found out about them soon enough when they were jabbed into his gut....can you say "ouch" Quinn sure did !! By the time we left Quinn was probably kicking himself for not taking the $20.00 I wanted to give him on the 1st day. Don't let their innocent smiles fool you, these two are ruthless!!!
Mia did well, but not as well as Dee. She was the one I expected to shine and although she put her best into she just seemed a little out of sorts.
Dee on the other hand shocked us all! His first one was pretty good, he ran a 17.1 but didn't really open up between the barrels, but heck it was a clean run so we'll take it! Only problem was he apparently didn't see the closed gate at the end of the alley on the way out and rammed through it scaring Dad and the gate man to death! Mind you this was after he had been hit by a truck that was speeding along in reverse down the alley between the barns. Can you say "chiropractor" Dee has an appointment on Thursday to see Dr. Marr. Although, he seems no worse for wear. He came back and ran a 16.9 in his second run and they were only out of the short go by 2 runners!!!!
Here is one of my favorite scenes from the trip, I had Dan pull over on the highway to get this shot of the Oklahoma River with downtown Oklahoma City in the background.
And here are a few from Bricktown, all the buildings are made from Oklahoma's famous "Red Dirt" as it was the most plentiful and cheapest resource they had when building the city in the early 1900's.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Vignetting
Trying my hand out at some photoshop techniques, this one is called a vignette. I've also included some updated pics of the other dogs so they won't feel left out. Pictured are Lola and Molly (napping) and of course Jack with Danielle in the vignette. And not to be forgotten, Bunny in the Bluebonnets!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)