Month: November 2020

Confession

judgment, intolerance, acceptanceThey say confession is good for the soul, so here goes.

Although I make my best efforts to stay positive, sometimes I fail miserably. Yesterday was one of those days.

To my mind, negativity dominated the conversations in the room. The popular opinion was opposed to my beliefs. I shouldn’t have let it get to me. After all, everyone is entitled to their opinion, right?

Instead, I became inwardly critical of every thought expressed. My judgments of how wrong these people were, took over. I didn’t open my mouth but am sure my body language spoke loud and clear. When a final comment pushed me over the edge, I quietly slipped out of the room. Without even a goodbye, I left.

I’m not proud of my reaction. In fact, I was still unsettled when I awoke this morning.

I stood at the kitchen window and watched the sun rise. The beauty reminded me that each day I have a new opportunity to start again. To do better than I did yesterday. I was determined to make the most of it.

In order to do this, I needed to figure out what had gone wrong. I thought of my husband gently pointing out my lack of tolerance. That certainly got my back up. Couldn’t he just acknowledge that I was right?

Realization struck me like a lightning bolt. I couldn’t accept other viewpoints because I knew I was right! I had chosen to be right rather than be happy. This is something that does not help me live my best life.

This confession is a way of holding myself accountable. When I know better, I can do better.

I am grateful today for the uncomfortable lesson that resulted in a renewed commitment to stay positive and to treat others with love and respect.

Adjusting My Focus

gratitude, blessingsWhy do you take a camera with you on vacation? I do because I expect to see something I’d like to turn into a memory.

That is also the reason I keep my phone with me when I go out for a walk. I never know what beauty, uniqueness or special moments will be there for me to capture.

Many years ago, I decided to approach each day this way. Not with a camera, but by focusing on the gifts God has placed all around me. During this time, I have observed so much that would have otherwise gone unnoticed.

There are countless reasons to be thankful. Some are large and obvious. Others are commonplace and easily missed. When I purposefully look for them, they become beacons to happiness.

This morning I looked out my window as the sun was rising over the frozen landscape. Instead of thinking how cold it was going to be for me to walk to an appointment this morning, I took a few moments to be grateful for a new day and the opportunity to embrace whatever it may bring.

I may not feel the same when I step into the frigid air, but there is a much better chance than if I approach it with negativity.

The secret to my happiness is not really a secret. All I have to do is open my eyes to all that God has given me. When my focus shifts from lack to abundance, I am more likely to capture the special moments and turn them into precious memories.

Growth Charts

personal growthHave you ever stood as straight and tall as possible, back against the wall, while your height was recorded?

My childhood home had a wall where such measurements were displayed. A pencil was placed level with the top of my head and a mark made on the wall. If I’d grown, the date and my name would be printed beside this line. The same would happen for my siblings.

I had such a wall for my children and my daughter has maintained this tradition for her children. Down through the generations, we like to see a tangible sign of our growth.

Physical growth is important to record. My grandson, who recently surpassed me in height, can attest to that!

I haven’t gained in height for many years and lately seem to be getting shorter. These days it is other forms of personal growth I’m looking to achieve.

Marks on the wall would make it easier to measure if I’m growing or shrinking but that’s not how this growth works.

Instead I need to ask myself some tough questions. Have I challenged myself to learn something new? Do I explore creative possibilities? When was the last time I stepped out of my comfort zone? Am I reaching out to connect with new people? How am I doing with my commitment to make a difference?

It can be quite comfortable to stay in my safe, predictable routine but that is when my growth stops and my life becomes smaller.

My best intentions have to be put into action to ensure my personal growth. There is no better time than now to stretch myself in new ways. Who wants to join me? Accountability partners are welcomed!

Gifts of Good Words

books, Good WordsFollow the Gifts of Good Words Blog Hop taking place from November 4-18, 2020, and find quality Canadian Christian books for those on your Christmas list! Then on November 18th, join the Good Words Virtual Book Fair on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/3376193032494045

Today I’m pleased to introduce you to my book Another Perspective.

The idea for the book came when a friend and fellow author said, “You have a unique perspective on life.” The word perspective stuck with me and I knew one day it would be used as the focus of one of my books. Two years later, this book became a reality.

Another Perspective is a collection of short stories based on everyday events. As an observer of life, I take what I see, hear and experience and dig a little deeper to find and share the insights I’ve gained.   

The book contains stories relating to fear, gratitude, forgiveness, healing, disagreement, patience, having fun and many other topics.  The stories  have been described as inspiring, folksy, relatable and wise.

I’m especially proud of the cover of this book. That’s me, conquering my fear of heights by going skydiving!  You can read that story in the book.

Good Words

Another Perspective and my other three devotional books can be purchased through my website www.timewithtandy.com/books or e-book from amazon.ca  

Please check out books by my fellow Canadian Christian authors!

Let It Go

nature, seasons, change

A few crisp brown leaves scutter across my second story deck. The chinook winds have stripped most trees of their leaves. A few, however, seem to refuse to release their once vibrant fall foliage.

I look at one leaf, fluttering wildly to escape as the tree holds on tenaciously. It is inevitable that the leaf will eventually be let go. This is a natural and necessary part of the life cycle.

I understand the reluctance to let go of what has contributed rich colour to my life. There comes a time, however, where holding onto the past prevents me from moving forward. I can appreciate the past and how it has shaped me into who I am today but know I can’t stay stuck there. With gratitude for lessons learned, I now need to focus on what’s ahead.

That doesn’t mean the letting go is easy. Far from it. The familiar is comfortable and feels safe. It may not be exciting or challenging but it also doesn’t involve risk and uncertainty. Unfortunately, this comfort zone prevents me from growing.

Instead of mourning the end of a season, I choose to welcome a new one. Each season has its own beauty and, as the trees are entering a period of replenishment during this time, so shall I. Without past expectations holding me back, I am free to gather knowledge and skills to help me grow.

Like the approaching winter, I have no idea what this season will bring or how long it will last. What I do know, is I will not be the same at the end of it as I am at the beginning. My life will continue to grow and change as new experiences and opportunities are presented and embraced. Let the possibilities begin!

seasons, life, change
#inspiration, nature, comfort zone, replenish, experiences, personal growth
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