Lisa's Shining Spot of Joy

Just for today

2006-08-22T07:35:00.000-05:00

"Nothing is worth more than this day."

- J. W. Goethe

Goethe is one of my favorite writers. Funny, because there is a strange barrier to understanding him.....HE WROTE IN GERMAN and my understanding of German had dwindled over the past few years, But ofcourse there are plenty of translations. He does, however, make the German language sound oh so sweet just as Shakespear makes the english language so melodic.

What he has to say always makes me think. How can the statement above be any more true. Sure, this day may turn out horrible or plainly un-eventful, but at this moment, there is nothing more important. No-one knows if they will see tomorrow and yesterday has already been set...

Every day that I hug and kiss my children and husband is a new experience....could be that I will do it many more times and could be that it is the last. Pregnancy really hits this statement home. Every day is different and just as important as the next or last. Sure I feel tierd, achy, nauseated, bloated and bitchy most of the time, but when I feel my bay kick, see an ultrasound or re-fold his baby clothes, I know how important it is to suffer these aflictions....I really don't mind and I have learned to enjoy the day given to me, because who knows what tomorrow holds? All I have is today and everything else is only a thought.

Prayer.....food for the soul

2006-05-09T11:40:00.000-05:00

Last night I experienced fear.......fear that was so intense that I can't remeber I time I felt like that.

I am 15 weeks pregnant. At first, I was upset, uncertain and disappointed. Do I feel guilt about this? YES, I most certainly do! I have 2 beautiful girls and my husband and I do really love children.......so where was the problem? The problem was that we struggle to take care of our current situation financially (and you better believe there is more to the story!). I had truly explored my "options". I realized that there was no option (for me anyway). I knew that I had to have this child.

So now that I had accepted my pregnancy, I moved on to excitement..............and OH the excitement. Looking at baby clothes, cribs, strollers....making decisions about types of bottles and diapers I want to use.....dreaming about holding him (or her) for hours while I rocked, fed and sung to him. Doing tones of research on what stage I am at and what the baby is doing right now and what is next to come. I have even spent much time caressing my belly while I meditated to clear my head. I am now more in love than imaginable.

So then, last night, while having a conversation with my aunt, I realized that this "stomach ache" I was feeling wasn't going away. As I paid more attention to it, I realized that it was my muscles....I was feeling what I could only describe as contractions and cramping. I went to the bathroom and noticed some spotting. Sometimes, this is considered normal, but what really scared me is the fact that my youngest daughter was born pre-maturely and I had been warned that any future pregnancies would be concidered high-risk. Off to the hospital we went!

I was crying, then (like second nature) I prayed. this was the only thing that could make me stop sobbing. What most people don't know is that I rarely cry. I was so scared. My mind wanderd to a soothing place. I went from feeling hollow and confused to comforted and strong. When you read to the end of this, you will get the same tingle that I did this morning when the doctor said it was going to be ok.

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonging to him, and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the verylowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it:

"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.

"The LORD replied:
"My son, my precious child,I love you and I would never leave you.During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you".

So Here We Go Again!!!

2006-02-19T09:54:00.000-05:00

Yes......it has happened. Life for us has again taken a turn. In some perspectives you could say a turn for the worst, but I just call it a turn. We again find ourselves struggling on one part-time income and the penuts the government already throws our way.............sounds really bad, but more good has come of it than any. Sure we will struggle....even for a prolonged period, but this has alowed us to come out of our rut and truely explore new possiblities. Possiblilities we wernt willing to explore while we felt "safe". No, we wern't willing to rock the boat nore should we have, but now that it has been rocked for us, we may make best of it. We can take chances, because there is nothing to lose. We can hope and pray, because there really is something to hope for.

I am scared.....I am not sure how we will meet some of our basic needs. I would be a fool not to worry! But I really do have faith that we will make it through....we always do. I am never afraid to take a leap and work hard. Here are some well known words of wisdom:

Everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. MT 7:5
God never closes a door without opening a window

I Fear

2006-02-06T20:57:00.000-05:00

I fear I have sinned. Sinned against my own heart. I let my love get stagnant. My own selfish needs have come first........nothing is really wrong, but for a while, not much has been right. I hope my husband isn't keeping up with my blog.....I just needed to get this out. I have been feeling lost and out of place with a lot of things in my life. I sometimes feel alone and that I have some void to fill. I am now making a conscious decision to make my life full again. I know that my husband is the key to my wholeness as a woman, lover, mother, friend, and productive member of society. I look back on disagreements etc. and now I think to myself 'is that worth all of the misery I let myself feel?'. Life is for living, so I am going to go home tonight and kiss him and tell him how much he means to me. With him, I am lost.......but lost with him. Without him I find myself..........incomplete.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am
only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and
can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move
mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor
and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love I gain nothing. Love is
patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It
is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no
record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It
always protects, always trusts, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where
there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be
stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away...And now these things
remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. --1 Corinthians
13:1-8, 13 .
So I know what I have, and what I do not want to lose.......I think (oddly enough) Freud puts it quite simply,.......
We are never so helplessly unhappy as when we lose love. --Sigmund Freud

Interesting.......I guess in some ways it really hits the spot!

2005-12-15T21:49:00.000-05:00

Your Personality Is

Guardian (SJ)
You are sensible, down to earth, and goal oriented.Bottom line, you are good at playing by the rules.
You tend to be dominant - and you are a natural leader.You are interested in rules and order. Morals are important to you.
A hard worker, you give your all at whatever you do.You're very serious, and people often tell you to lighten up.
In love, you tend to take things carefully and slowly.
At work, you are suited to almost any career - but you excel in leadership positions.
With others, you tend to be polite and formal.
As far as looks go, you are traditionally attractive. You take good care of yourself.
On weekends, you tend to like to do organized activities. In fact, you often organize them!

Three Question Personality Test

http://www.blogthings.com/threequestionpersonalitytest/

the synic in all of us

2005-12-15T21:10:00.000-05:00

I always dread to say that I have hit a rut. I know that I will get over it, but why is it so hard for others. It always makes me wonder how it is possible that someone would want to intentionally be in a constant rut and hurt themselves! I (currently) have lost my faith in people....atleast some. I have a lack of desire to jump in and help people....atleast in a close way. What is that saying??Once bitten and twice shy?

So now I sit back, take some ME time and prepare for the next endeavor! I will just have to suck it up and roll with the punches. I have learned that I don't need to try and save everyone. In fact, as history reminds me, a man died on the cross to save us all. We shouldn't need to save others. It just isn't our job.

I will post again when ME has been recharged!!! I see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Faith and Hope
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see". HEB 11:1

The Best Boring Day EVER!

2005-11-19T09:23:00.000-05:00

Why do people always assume that boring means bad? I am having the best boring day ever!

I love the way life works out. I have been looking for some work for a while now. Full time or part time....doesn't really matter. I have a great way of being able to "make" time to do things.

I applied to SAAN (a clothing and housewares store) and I had an interview which went very well. This was nearly 2 weeks ago. Now, I know the manager (a bit) and I know he drags his feet on hiring. I feel that I am not going to get hired for that job! So now that I have told you about the job I didn't get, or atleast don't know about, let me tell you about the one I did get.

I got a call from my former boss last night asking me if I wanted a job and if I could work Saturday morning at 7am....turns out, she very kindly refered me to someone who was asking if she knew anyone trustworthy and reliable (Thank you for all the help you give me!). I am at work now. I work at our new local Municipal Centre at the Arena Control/Reception booth. I sit here and look pretty. I smile at people and loan out the desk pens and do a key trade with hockey coaches. When someone asks a question, I kindly say "let me find that out for you". And the best part....when I am not busy (which is often) I am allowed to surf the net, chat read a book or just sit here. I tell you, the best boring day ever!!!!

I'ts been a while

2005-11-14T09:43:00.000-05:00

For those of you who read my blog regularly (as if!) or for those I have sent here recently, I have something to share with you!

My amazing friend, Alley, asked me to listen to a song. She thought that musically, it wouldn't really be "my thing" but she asked me to entertain her this once. So I did and she was right...it isn't my usual taste in music, but, being the wonderful friend that she is, she knew I would get a kick out of the message. To her surprise, I LOVED IT!

Today I decided to research this band a little more and BOY, do they have a lot to say!

Band Name: Superchic[k]

Song to hear: We Live

Album: Beauty From Pain (tiltle song is amazing too)

here is a little blurb from their website
http://www.superchickonline.com

What We Believe
"What we believe: It is very simple. We believe that every person regardless of age, gender, size or any other reason you can come up with, was created on purpose and for a purpose. Every person has greatness in them and something special and unique to offer the world. The world doesn't stand in our way. Other people don't stand in our way. We are the only thing standing in our way. We are the ones who define who we are by the choices that we make every day and the things that we choose to believe about ourselves and about life. And don't think that you can just remain unseen and not be affecting people because even by not doing anything that affects someone that you could have reached out to. We have a world out there that is a mess and looking for someone or something to give them a reason to live. It is our responsibility to start doing something. Don't limit yourself or the impact that you can have in changing the world. You could be the next Mother Teresa that shows millions love or a janitor that shows one person love. It's not in the big or in the small it's in the doing..."

Thanks Alley!

On their website, you can sample the songs from their new album. Even if they arn't your cup of tea musically, I encorage you to atleast sample the 2 tracks "We Live" and Beauty From Pain". Their message is clear but sometimes invisible to most of us!

A Lovely Day Indeed!!

2005-08-17T11:26:00.000-05:00

It seems that sometimes when you think something is "cliche" and you have learned so much, you then realize how untrue that really is! When someone tells you to "never give up" the first thought is 'oh how cliche!'. And yes, maybe it is, but what is wrong with that. Today I learned my lesson once again!

Cliche- (klee-shay) n. a hackneyed phrase or idea.
Hackneyed- (hak-nid) adj. (of a saying) having lost its original impact through long over-use.

I tend to disagree here. Some of these definitions seem to be writen by those with a negative disposition.
I had a great experience today by not giving up. Please note the quote below. I found it very inspiring.

You Must Not Quit

When Things go wrong as they sometime will,

When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about

When they might have won had they stuck it out;

Don't give up though the pace seems slow.

You may succeed with another blow.

Success is failure turned inside out.

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems so far.

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit.

It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

-Unknown

Good Day to All

2005-06-13T10:32:00.000-05:00

It is a lovely day indeed! I can't wait for the rain. When it comes I will dance gleefully (Glee n. 1. lively or triumphant joy.) in it. Enjoy your day today. Remember this: Something good will happen today. Hey try this....

Just for Today

I will live through the next 12 hours and try not to tackle all of life's problems at once.

I will improve my mind, I will learn something that requires effort and concentration.

I will be agreeable.I will look my best, speak in a well modulated voice, be coureous and considerate.

I will not find fault with a friend, relative or colleague. I will not try to change or improve anyone but myself.

I will have a programme. I might not follow it exactly, but i will have it. I will save myself from two enemies:
hurry and indecision.

I will do a good turn and keep it a secret. If anyone finds out, it will not count.

I will do two things i don't want to do, just for the exercise.

I will believe in myself. I will give my best to the world and feel confident that the world will give it's best to me.

-Anonymous

A Thought to Live By

2005-06-07T21:00:00.000-05:00

An obstacle is often a stepping stone. - Prescott

I can't argue with that. Those little things that get in our way are mearly learning experiences. These obstacles so prevelant in this life (when you take the time to look back!) are almost always benifical to the outcome of all endeavours. Admit and learn from your mistakes, this way they can only make you stronger!

Who'll stop the rain?

2005-05-14T09:10:00.000-05:00

So today is a rainy day. Some believe it is a bad thing but I know it is a day to catch up on many abandonments like: cleaning, reading, tv and sleep. I look forward to these days. Time's a wasting!

***Warning: Lisa can not guarantee the spelling validity on any post***

"What he said"

2005-05-14T08:57:00.000-05:00

It's so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don't say it.
-Sam Levenson, Humorist and Author

I do have one thing to say about this quote; NO COMMENT!

And the word is...

2005-05-14T08:20:00.000-05:00

Wise. Funny because most of us lack wisdom but rarely seek it. I believe to be wise is only a fleeting glimps. If you know you are wise, you're not.

Wise adj. 1. having or showing soundness of judgement. 2. having knowledge, where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise. --v. (Amer. slang) to inform, wise him up about it. --wisely adv. *be none the wiser, to know no more than before; to be unaware of what has happened. wise man, a wizard, one of the Magi. wise woman, a witch, a fortune-teller.

To put it in my own words; wisdom is a journey that has no end. This is a good thing! You can always look forward to being wise.

A New Day

2005-05-12T09:45:00.000-05:00

So it turns out that today is a good day! Despite only getting 2 hours of sleep due to a bad allergic reation, I am happy. I am still waiting but it doesn't seem so bad. All good things are worth waiting for. In the end, things work out for the best. I am looking forward to volunteering at my daughters school to help out with "Jump Rope for Heart." My little girl is very excited about her fundraising efforts. She has been practicing hard to get better at skipping. I am so proud of all that she does.

"and he said..."

2005-05-12T09:32:00.000-05:00

Some people see things as they are and say
"Why."

I dream things that never were and say

"Why not."

-George Bernard Shaw

Wow...my outlook on life could not be more artfully expressed. This one really gets me. Take some time to think about this qoute. No matter where you are, take atleast one full minute to truly reflect on theses words. I am sure it will lift your spirits.

My Favorite Word...

2005-05-12T09:12:00.000-05:00

is Tenacious. My husband tells me that it is a good word for me. I guess he is right. I only got 2 hours of sleep last night yet I still function. The Dictionary states:

Tenacious (tin-ay-shus) adj. 1.holding or clinging firmly to something (eg. rights or principles). 2. (of memory) retentive. 3.sticking firmly together or to an object or surface. tenaciously adv., tenacity (tin-ass-i-ti) n.

Well I don't even need to interpret that to put a positive spin on it. I do know that everyone has some tenacity in them. All that is needed is a little tap into it. Warning: Tenacity is not conducive to flowing through a tap. Please don't stick a tap into yourself to improve tenacity. It is not a literal analogy.

Today's Word..

2005-05-11T08:56:00.000-05:00

...is Harmonious. A truly optimistic word (atleast if you have or are working toward Harmony). I may not feel harmonious today but it is just a bad day. There is always later or even tomorrow. The dictionary states:

Harmonious adj. 1. forming a pleasing or consistent whole. 2. free from disagreement or ill feeling
3. sweet-sounding, tuneful. harmoniously adv.

My goal for today is to skip onto a path leading to harmony. Try leading a Harmonious day. It could work. What do you have to lose? Only the negitive feelings.

"Quote of the day..."

2005-05-11T08:36:00.000-05:00

It's not what happens to you,

It's what you do about it.

"Taking responsibility for change"

- W. Mitchell from the book "It's not what happens to you. It's what you do about it."

This is a perfect example of taking action and being in control of my own feelings. The details of what is happening to make me feel crappy is really unimportant. If I can step up and do something about it then that will be great.

We Humans take so much for granted. When something bad happens we ask "why God?" and when great events occur we pat ourselves on the back and say "Good Job me!" Now if we could only get people to take that much responsiblity when things go wrong.
I realize that my welting rash was caused by a body wash I took a risk using. I also know that I am not fault free when it comes to my financial situation. I wish I (and my children) wern't paying so dearly for it. However I am taking action in that area. The body wash is in the garbage and I am on the way to buy some allergy pills to calm the reaction; School, in a long term way, will be the cure for the finances.
Despite the problems on this shortlist (and my numerous others), it will all work out in the end because I want it to.

***Warning: Lisa can not guarantee the spelling validity on any post***

Greetings

2005-05-11T08:24:00.000-05:00

Greetings.....Don't I mean good day? No. I am not having a good day thus far. Oh but you say this is suppose to be an optimistic view. Yeah,your right. I guess it is better to start with a bad day then to end with it. I have decided to take my own advice. I will try cheering myself up. Take action. After all, only I am in controll of my feelings.

"Quote of the Day"

2005-05-10T07:04:00.000-05:00

Only when we give joyfully, without hesitation or thought of gain, can we truly know what love means.
- Leo Buscaglia

I have no idea who this guy is but I intend to find out (I just found out that he is an author. Check him out at www.buscaglia.com). He is on to something and it ties in nicely with the Word of the Day. My advice- Practice this and today's word. I think you will see a difference in many ways. I am no pro but I do pride myself with a good grounding in common sense.

Today's Word is...

2005-05-10T06:38:00.000-05:00

Indiscriminate is a word that should be practiced more often by all! if we went about indiscriminately we would have a lot less problems in our world Sounds strange doesn't it? The dictionary states:

Indiscriminate adj Showing no discrimination, doing or giving things without making a careful choice. Indiscriminately adj

So you see, for the most part, this is a positive word. You may not think so but I like to take it this way; Don't harsh on people for thier differences and follow your heart.

Sometimes we "think" too much when what we should be doing is just that...doing...
Try to spend a part of today using your intuition (or Gut) to make a few descisions.

* I do not take responsibility for advice givin. It is your perogative. I would use perogative as tomorrows word but it is not in my dictionary.

A Bright Sunny Day

2005-05-10T06:26:00.000-05:00

As the sun blinds my eyes, I smile. Here I sit at my desk in front of my window and because I can't touch type, this is taking a while due to the lovely sun streaming in and imparing my vision.

Other than that I couldn't ask for a nicer day. I am still poor and always waiting (see "The Waiting game") and this whole government thing...ie "The Day of Reconing" (gloom doom) is just depressing.
So I have decided just as you should.....turn off your TV set and enjoy the beautiful day (don't forget your sunscreen and bug spray).

***Warning: Lisa cannot guarantee the spelling validity on any post***

The Waiting Game

2005-05-09T13:58:00.000-05:00

So here I am...Waiting. Waiting to hear back from Algonquin (Was I accepted?), to hear back from the scholarship people and the funding people. Waiting for things to fall in place can be incredibly tedious, but one thing is for sure...

There are others who have it worse and I wish I could help them.
No really I do! It makes me happy to know that there are people, agencies and sometimes governments to help people who have it bad.

I could continue but I value your opinion. Feel free to add it at any point.

***Warning: Lisa cannot guarantee the spelling validity on any post***

"Daily Quote"

2005-05-09T12:38:00.000-05:00

"Reach your hands way up and wiggle your fingers (or whatever else;)). Good things will begin to happen. If there are others in the room, they will laugh. Otherwise you will get a delightful stretch".

Author,
Some Strange Girl

The word of the day...

2005-05-09T11:59:00.000-05:00

...is precocious. Why you ask? Because it is a nice word. The dictionary meaning is like this:

Precocious (pri-koh-shus) adj. 1. (of a child) having developed certain abilities earlier than is usual.
2. (of abilities etc.) showing such development. precociously adv., precocity (pri-koss-i-ti)

Now I don't know about you but that seems to me it is a very upbeat word. Hey....if you have a word in mind, bold it it your comment and I will find the meaning and make it a word of the day and put a positive spin on it. I think everyone can use a vocab booster now and then.