Love One Another

It is three days before Christmas Morn, I sit here with my thinking cap on. It has replaced the elf hat, I had on yesterday.

Since my last post many things have happened in the lives of my family, friends, the community and the world at large.

I had the honor of celebrating the birthday of a dear friend. We love you Libby. I also shared in the excitement of another friend who became a United States Citizen. Congratulations Marcela!

I witnessed another friend, take a chance on trust and love...you know who you are.

I spoke with others about their unique talents, the ones that they cannot yet see for themselves. Is it lack of confidence or just blindness?

Yet, another friend is stuggling with the life challenge of retirement. Amidst the excitement of this new chapter in her life, there is the fear of the unknown. My advice, Janice is that you look at the future as a brand new canvas and get the watercolors out. Paint your own rainbow!

I have observed those struggling with life's obstacles and admire their determination, courage and postiive attitudes. They are my inspiration!

I too, am tired of hearing the debates about Phil Robertson. Yes, he has a right to his opinion. Do we have to agree or disagree? Here is how I look at it, there are many things in the Bible that are intepreted in different ways by different people but we must not forget that the Bible is really a great love story about God's great love for us. Afterall, he sacrificed His only son for us, so that we could have eternal life. When tempers flare read Paul or try a few of these verses out. I am not an expert on the Bible but these are a few verses that come to mind.

For God So Loved the World

John 3:16 “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Love One Another

John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Love Covers a Multitude of Sins

First Peter 4:8 “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”

We are here to help each other and lift each other up. We are not here to tear each other down. Regardless of your stance on Phil, please treat each other with kindness...it costs you nothing except the opportunity to grow your heart.

 

Speaking about growing your heart, I love the Grinch!

 

“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow,
stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”
― Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

 

I guess my Christmas wish for all of you, is for each heart to grow larger as we all learn to love more!

 

I want to thank everyone who has voted for my comment to help win the video magnifier for Noah.

We are still in the running.

 https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/photo.php?fbid=559085070840465&set=a.341095785972729.80640.296358023779839&type=1&theater
Just like my comment to help win this for the little guy. I wish I could win one for everyone in need.

 

My goal for the New Year is to help everyone think positively. I have started a facebook page. It is in its infancy. It is called Sightless Insight and I want to use it to encourage others who are visually impaired as well as share the positive things happening in our communities, whether it is paying it forward, acts of kindness or general good will. Please feel free to send me information that you think is positive, I would love to share it on my page.

https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/SightlessInsightone

 

Last year on January 1st, I started putting a positive message, memory or event that occured each day into a jar. I will start a new jar on the 1st again this year. I look forward to reading the ones I put in the jar last year beginning also on the 1st. I think as I read them, I will once again be reminded of how very blessed I am!

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS....until next year!

 

 

 

 

Big Hearts are for Sharing!

     Well, it has been awhile since I have posted to the blog. I have been busy as I am sure many of you have been too. Many things have happened since my last post. Some sad things and wonderful things too.
     I know so many people that are struggling with financial issues, illness and grief this holiday season. My heart goes out to each and every one of them. I know we do not have the ability to fix it for them but we can offer them our ears, prayers and love.
    I have seen quite a few incidents of people paying it forward. This always warms my heart. Paying it forward is such a simple act of kindness and one we can all participate in. It does not have to be something big, but it does have to come from your heart.
     Speaking of hearts, there are many people out there with great big hearts. Some have the heart of a lion fighting cancer, some of a poet, with their hearts resting on a sleeve, others hearts are so big because they are filled with compassion for others.
     I am blessed...my friends have big hearts, some even have gianormous hearts.
    I celebrated my birthday with wonderful friends. First with the girls at Rosa & Roccos. Had a great time and many laughs with Brenda, Joey, Lois, Kathy, Marcela and Beth.
    I got to celebrate again with my friends, The Cackling Hens where there are four birthdays in our group. Cheese Cake Factory and the comedy club. We had a blast, shared laughs and gifts.
   I am thankful for all of those that sent birthday cards and wishes and helped me celebrate. Best of all these things make great memories. I am truly blessed.
   Have you heard of Random Words of Encouragement? It is something everyone and anyone can participate in. We are celebrating this in my community January17, 2014. I hope people from every community participates. It is simple,  you place five random words of encouragement around the town you live in. You can be creative and put your message on cookies, balloons or wherever your heart desires. Thank You Amber Stone-Cameron for inviting me. Very excited to see how it affects others. I will share the link on my facebook page.
    I will also be sharing another link, I am trying to win a little boy, an electronic video magnifier. With the support of friends and a caring community, I know it can be done. https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/photo.php?fbid=559085070840465&set=a.341095785972729.80640.296358023779839&type=1&theater
Just like my comment to help win this for the little guy. I wish I could win one for everyone in need. I have to start somewhere and so this link is hopefully just the beginning.
    I picked this little guy first for many reasons. He is in elementary school. He is so bright and energetic.
    I do not know how you develop a love for reading when you cannot see the words.  I want to give him the opportunity to love words and see all of the magic books can bring him so that he has a love for it all while he is still young. I hate to see him struggle in school.
    I cannot tell you how devastated I was when I could no longer read print. Regular hand-held magnifiers could no longer do the trick. I love words and books. Like a thief in the night that was taken from me. Of course I was still grateful that I could see but not being able to read robbed my soul.
    When the original Kindle came out, I was so excited. They were back ordered after Oprah brought it out on her show. I joined the waiting list and was in correspondence with Amazon. I wanted to know how big I could make the font before I purchased it. They inquired why I would ask. I told them that I wanted to make sure I could read it. They were very nice and when I got my Kindle they had upgraded me to the Kindle II which was not yet out because of the font capacity and there is a way for me to upgrade my fonts.
    I cannot even describe the joy I felt at being able to read a book again.
    It is frustrating to not be able to read your mail, the newspaper, magazines, menus, price and more without help. It steals a piece of your soul and your privacy too.
    I have been fortunate with all of these things because before the technology allowed me to read  these things, my friends, family and co-workers assisted me.
     I loved today's sermon at church. I have a feeling it will definitely prompt me to think outside of the box this Christmas as I give out gifts...never mind that I have never seen the box. Some of the best things in life are unseen.
   I want to hear what everyone's Christmas wishes are. Please leave me some comments or private message me.
   Until next week