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Reflecting Back

photo of the shadow of someone walking on the beach with the words, "Reflect on the past, but don't live there." by Beeda Speis for Peace In The Stillness blog

These are portions of some posts from 2011-2014 that were a little more reflective. I think it’s fine to spend time reflecting back as long as we don’t beat ourselves up over things we can’t do anything about now, and as long as we don’t dwell on, or try to live in the past.

One post was about a really tough day and an impending snowstorm. I don’t feel like sharing the whole post because it was written during the week that my first husband was dying, but I like the depth of the last sentence. It could’ve been about the actual storm, or about the tribulations of the day, or both:
Maybe, after the storm passes the sun will shine through and make everything bright and beautiful.

A 2011 New Year’s Post:

2011 Theme: Faith, Hope and Love
2011 Tagline: Prayer
January Goal: Focus on what is most important: God, family, friends
Step one: Get closer to God.
Actions: Learn to meditate; (as my friend Pauline says:) walk with God, give everything up to God; keep a journal (this blog) and read the Bible.
Habit: meditation – includes time to reflect, to walk, and to read
Related habit: journal entries
Hope to accomplish: inner peace and understanding*

*Looking back, I’m pretty sure I didn’t accomplish this in 2011, since I’m still striving for it in 2022.

Whatta Year! (from 2014)

Actually, it should be “whatta year and a half!” My last post was in January 2013, and I think that must have been my last “normal” day. The short and sweet version is that in the past year & a half, I have: traveled to Romania, Switzerland, Virginia, and Hawaii, bought a new house, got married in it the day after closing, lost 2 mothers-in-law (my husband’s mom and then his step-mom), the first one was 5 days after we got married. Within a month of getting married, found out I had breast cancer. Since then, I’ve had internal radiation, chemotherapy, and external radiation. The chemotherapy wraps up this coming October. Because of all of this, I had to drop out of school (again!) And, I just found out Friday, that my 13-1/2-year-old beagle has kidney disease’ oh, and an eye and ear infection.

Those are just the highlights, and although they may sound mostly negative, they really aren’t. I have been very blessed through all of this, and have come through it all a much better person. I’ll elaborate on all of these things bit by bit. I really miss writing, and although I still write in my journal/diary frequently, I miss the interaction of a blog.


Update January 2022

Bible Verse of the Day

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The urgent request of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.
James 5:15 HCSB

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, we love You and adore You. We praise You for the many blessings You bestow on us, Your children. Lord, we thank You for the people You bring into our lives so that we have many brothers and sisters in Christ. We thank You for giving us the ability to love and serve one another, for the capability to empathize with those who are hurting. Thank You for giving us a servant’s heart. Lord, I personally thank You for giving me this outlet to share my trials and tribulations with those You bring to me. Thank You for the words, Lord, and for all of these loving relationships. Thank You for fellowship dear Lord. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, Amen.

Watch my video

You can see the video I made about one of my amazing God experiences by clicking here. I only have 2 videos on my YouTube channel so far, but it would be a huge help if you would hit the ‘SUBSCRIBE’ button.

Coming Soon-ish

I am enjoying reflecting back on my first posts. Hopefully, it’s not too confusing with me going back and forth. My intention is to make several e-books out of my past writing to give away for free to my email subscribers (daily, monthly, or both). If you’d like to receive a free copy as I write them, be sure to sign up for my email list by using the form to the right or click here.