Sunday, November 6, 2016

Don't let life discourage you!

Richard L. Evans once said, "Don't let life discourage you. Everyone who got where he is had to begin where he was."

We all have to start where we are, don't we? However, how many of us measure our successes based on our healthy life before life took a turn, and we ended up dealing with a chronic illness.

Going from health to daily issues with a chronic illness can really wreak havoc in our lives. Prior to illness we may have held that dream job, but lost it as we could not handle the new demands of chronic illness.

I know for me that is exactly how it was. The job had not changed, but my ability to deal with the rigors and demands of it did, and I was so despondent. Having to quit, I became severely depressed...partly due to the change in my life's circumstances, but also partly due to the illness itself. I didn't feel that I was capable of anything anymore.

Painting, which I loved to do, was such a challenge now. Holding a paintbrush became so painful. Starting over was a challenge even for those not dealing with a chronic illness. How was I supposed to start over? No one had prepared me for this. I am sure you felt this way at some point after your diagnosis.

The beauty is that we have been discouraged before when unexpected changes occurred in our lives and we made it through...and we can do it again. We can still set goals....and achieve them.

I learned early on that I had to take life one day at a time, and some days one hour or even just five minutes at a time. When each day is unbelievably hard, and you have to force yourself to put one foot in front of the other, you must take life in bite-sized chunks. To find the strength to keep putting one foot in front of the other, I have learned to go to God to be refreshed and strengthened.

I cannot allow myself to become bitter because of my circumstances. As I am typing this, I am feeling the tingling in my face, feet and hands from neuropathy. I can feel the pain emanating from my spine all the way down to my feet, the evidence of a mild flare. I have every reason to stay in bed this morning, but I can't let this mud cloud my vision and skew my focus. I know that the sun shines above me. I know that without the mud, there would be no lotus.

The challenge that I face is to, daily, keep looking up. Have you ever flown in an airplane through a storm? The sky is black, and you hear the thunder and may see lightning all around you. You wonder if you will make it through the storm.....but then the pilot takes the plane up, and breaking through those dark, scary clouds opens up a sea of soft, cottony white clouds with not a view or evidence of the storm in sight. The sun is shining brightly above the clouds, despite the intensity of the darkness beneath the clouds.

That's how my life has been like lately, and I am sure that many of you can relate. The storms can be intense, and the clouds black, but if we look up through the clouds and allow God’s Word into our hearts, we will see a different perspective. We might even see sunshine and feel the warmth of His presence despite the storms of life all around us.

Living with a chronic illness or illnesses can be very daunting, and we can get very discouraged, but we should not let it be our constant companion.

Life is full of beauty, no matter what we are going through.

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Life is not static.

Life Is Not Static.

Your best days are not behind you.

How much time do you spend wishing things were the way they used to be, thinking that your best days may be behind you?

Thinking fondly about the past, and looking back at the way things used to be isn't a bad thing until it is. There's a difference between thinking about the past and living in it.

It's the little things.....

Prior to becoming ill, I always noticed things that others might have just let go by. When I became ill, I began to notice those little things even more. You learn to appreciate the little things.

The buzzing of the bees around the wildflowers as they move from one flower to the next becomes almost like an orchestrated ballet.

The wind through the leaves on the trees sounds like storytelling or like the telling of secrets.

The dew drops on the plants in the morning shimmer like diamonds.

The scamper of the squirrel across the roof sounds like a drum roll, or across the electrical wire like a tightrope walker.

I learned to look up at the sky more often. It became to me like a great big canvas as I learn to figure out what formation the clouds were in before they move onto the next formation.

Is that an angel?

Is that a dragon?

Wait! Look at that eye in the sky!

Angel-Shaped cloud appears in Florida sky (in Miami) after new Pope is announced.

Appreciate your relationships.

I appreciate the lunches with dear friends.

I appreciate the relationships I have with my friends, both those that I see often and those who I don't see often, especially the ones that I have on Facebook.

I learned to appreciate your lives more. I spend more time seeing what's going on in your lives and let you know, yes, I do care. Yes, I'm glad that you're part of my life, and , and me yours.

Capture the moments, actual and mental....

I have a son who's going to be turning 22 in less than a month. I've watched him grow over the years.

I watch his dimples to this day form when a bright smile takes over his face.

I hear the excitement in his voice when he talks about something that is special to him or particular project that he's working on at the moment.

I see them disappear when saddened or upset.

Much has happened in his life. 8 months ago he became a dad.....and I became a Grandmother.

I pray God"s blessings and guidance on his family.

I have seen my daughter grow from a braids and pigtails little girl into a beautiful, smart, independent, college student and young lady.

I watch the way her nose wrinkles when she giggles. I listen to her talk about her goals, her heartbreaks, her achievements, knowing she will be strong through it all, and with God's help.

I see my youngest and I watch him as he does his flips and all of his martial arts moves so effortlessly, so confident that he's going to make the perfect landing. I watch the way his hair bounces up and down when he runs and when he plays.

He became a Black Belt this year and continues to train to better himself as a martial artist and a person.

I watch how independent and self motivated he is during the homeschooling process, and pray I remain strong to continue it.

I take lots of pictures, actual and mental pictures, to capture the moment, but I know life is not static.

My beautiful daughter

My granddaughter with her mom Alexis, and myself

Nicholas, my youngest son, with his niece

My eldest son and his family

Take stock!

So I live my life on a day by day basis, taking stock of what I currently have in my life and all the things that I have to be grateful for.

Yes I do spend time planning. I also acknowledge that there are some things in life that I just cannot control and I've got to let go of those things, and at that point you sort of feel the weight lifting off your shoulders.

Take notice of the world around you.

So dance like no one's watching. Be optimistic and take notice of the world around you no matter what you are doing.

Notice the moments that surround you. Maybe it's on your way to work or to school, or when you go over a beautiful bridge or you get a view of the sunrise behind the city buildings.

Maybe it's the moon as it rises in the night sky.

Take a look at the way the light reflects off the buildings and the treeline, and the birds that manage to nest in random corners and cracks.

Pay attention to your senses: sense of touch, sight, smell, sound, taste. Pretend it's the very last time you'll ever experience what ever it is you're experiencing. Take it in.

Have you ever been so engrossed in something that it seemed like the rest of the world just disappears?

Slow down if you have to and savor the present.

Be in the moment.

Listen to your world.

Listen to the birds, the sounds of the car passing, conversations of distant strangers.

Listen to the creeks in the buildings, the planes as they pass overhead, and the footsteps of people walking by.

Listen to the splashing of the waves onto the shore.
Just Listen!

To the sounds of your children's laughter.

Enjoy the taste of the mango. Savor every drop, every bite.

Smell the salty air.
Just be in the moment that is all around you.

Enjoy every moment!

Remember the old adage: the past is history, the future is a mystery; now is the gift. That's why they call it the present.
Enjoy every moment!

"52 Days Of Miracles" Challenge

This time of the year can be some of the saddest times of the whole year for some people....for one reason or another......so I would like to extend a challenge to everyone.

We need to cooperate on a more fundamental level, making sacrifices for each other, or for people we don't even know. Maybe they will reciprocate. Maybe they won't. Either way, the ripple effect could be incredible!

It could be reading stories for those who are shut in.

May be it's collecting canned food for a food drive.

Maybe it's as big as Christmas dinner for the homeless.

If you're great at baking, you could bake cookies or cakes and deliver to your neighbors,

or put positive post-its on your coworkers desk each day.

The name of the challenge is: 52 days of Miracles

There are 52 days until Christmas Eve!

How can you brighten someone's day?

For some modern-day miracles (52 of them), check out:

Amazing Modern-Day Miracles: 52 True Stories to Strengthen Your Faith

......and be on the lookout for miracles in your own everyday life!

Feel free to post a photo or comment using the hashtag #52DaysOfMiracles

Need some ideas?

Who do you love? Tell your friend or family member you do. We all need to hear that we are loved.
Cheer up one who is discouraged with a hug, spending time with him or her, sharing truth, giving hope, telling a joke.
Encourage someone beginning a new job with the latest motivational or business book in hardcover or on Kindle.
Make it a point to do what is good for all. People notice and appreciate it when you put others’ needs before your own.
Some people are most encouraged by acts of service. You could rake leaves for an elderly neighbor, plant a porch pot and keep it watered, take the garbage to the street each week and return the empty can to the garage after pick-up, walk the dog.
Spouses need encouragement. Leave “Post-it” notes with words of gratitude and love thoughts in special places.
Remind one who is struggling in a relationship that God loves each of us with an everlasting love. He never quits on us, he never gives up on us.
Love on your spiritual leaders regularly, by sending her a card or note in the mail, asking him to breakfast or lunch, or offering your time in a helpful way.
Be patient with the clerk at the store, especially when there is a long line and challenging customers. Offer an additional word of thanks.
Look out for a co-worker. Everyone needs someone to be in their corner, to have their back.
Pray for someone when they share a hurt or burden. Right then. People are more blessed when you pray with them immediately, rather than saying I’ll be praying for you.
Do a task normally done by your partner. Just because.
Listen to a young person and value their ideas and opinions.
Choose to live a life of character and integrity. It encourages others to stay the course and model your example.
Give a gift handmade by you.
Help Habitat for Humanity to build a house. You'd be surprised what you can do.
Buy a Publix Thanksgiving Meal gift card and surprise a needy family this holiday.
Encourage a friend to put her hope in God who richly provides everything for our enjoyment.
Pick up the phone and take time to listen and encourage someone who lives far away. Don’t do all the talking.
For the one out of work, invite them to dinner, send a gift card to the grocery store or gas station (anonymously?), send a special food gift like Omaha Steaks.
Send a short note on Facebook or text message a friend with a few encouraging words.
Tell your boss, your pastor, or other leader that you appreciate him.
Validate the one you’re speaking with; the one who is sharing their heart may be feeling a lack of self worth. It’s a wonderful thing to be validated by a person you truly like and admire!
Do you know someone who is going through rough waters? Secretly send them a card or note everyday for a week.
Is there a young couple you know who does not have the luxury of family nearby? Offer to watch their children so they can accomplish a project or go shopping. Take it farther and give them a gift card to a restaurant and care for their children while they are out.
People rarely get personal mail delivered anymore. Write or type a long or short letter or note of encouragement and put it in the mail.
Remind the one who feels alone in their battle of Jesus’ promise, “I will never leave you….”
Have a few small gifts on hand to give someone, just because.
Be quick to listen and slow to talk. Sometimes, the best encouragement is a listening ear.
Write love letters.
Secretly send a gift card for a coffee at Starbucks to the coffee lover with a sweet note. Starbucks gift cards are also great for the Waste Management crew that works your neighborhood each week. Remember, it is getting colder now so they would love a cup of hot java for those wintery morning.
Volunteer at a food bank for a couple of hours. Have your children do it, also.
Volunteer at a feeding for the homeless. Sonny's BBQ often partners with Salvation Army for these. Check out this organization's effort to help the Homeless.
Donate to your favorite charity.
Help with a beach clean-up.
Collect warm coats and jackets for the needy and homeless.
Visit sick children in the hospital (find out beforehand what help is needed) and cheer them up.
Be encouraging to all you meet. You never know who is having a hard day.
Many are starved for human touch. A hand on the shoulder or similar touch, used with caution, is encouraging. For some, a hug could be life-changing.
Speak life-affirming words. What are the good qualities you recognize in your friend? Tell them what they are and how they live out those qualities in good ways.
When talking with someone, ask them about them and their situation, don’t talk about yourself.
If your friend is grieving a loved one, encourage them to talk about the person and listen well.
Give words of blessing. When we bless others, we release the blessing of God on them.
Put together a care package. Who wouldn’t want to receive a tangible box of love and encouragement? These care packages are great for the homeless as well. Check out this link for great ideas for the care packages.
Extend neighborly kindness and encouragement. Bake and share….especially warm from oven. Have phone numbers of several neighbors so you can go down a list to find one at home to bless with your fresh-baked goodness.
Be a positive, joyful person. We can only encourage, love, and bless others with what we already have.
Fill jelly jars with flowers picked from your garden. Drop by a nursing home with them and bless the residents there. If you have a gift such as singing or playing the piano, you can entertain.
Promote a friend or acquaintance for the things they do. (Including their business). Everyone needs a cheerleader.
Treat your co-worker with something small every now and then: a candy bar, their favorite coffee, a fun pen, etc.
Let someone know they are important to you by turning off your cell phone when someone starts sharing with you.
Write down a Bible verse that meets the need of your friend’s heart and send it in the mail, or text it, or post it on their Facebook wall for encouragement.
Slip a little card in a co-workers mailbox thanking them or recognizing them for something in the workplace.

And for good measure…three more.

Give a toy. Play is under-rated and helps produce lots of smiles.
If you see someone doing something kind for another person….recognize that act.
Random acts of kindness have a powerful ripple effect.

Don't forget! Feel free to post a photo or comment using the hashtag #52DaysOfMiracles

Sunday, October 23, 2016

How to make Curried Moringa Pod or Drumstick Stew

Curried Moringa Pod Stew is great served over white rice or with corn bread

What is Moringa?

I've written extensively about Moringa and its benefits so I won't go into that kind of detail here.

Please check out the following article for more details.

Moringa: Tree of Life or Scam

If you'd like to grow your own Moringa tree:

How to grow a Moringa tree: a Home-School Science Experiment, plus a recipe for Curried Moringa Pods

There are a wide variety of Moringa products out there:

Nicholas helped me to collect some drumsticks for the stew.

“Drumsticks” as a vegetable are the immature seed pods of Moringa oleifera, a fast-growing, medium-sized, drought-resistant tree that is native to the Himalayan foothills and today widely cultivated in tropical and sub-tropical areas from Asia to Africa and Latin America.

Drumsticks are high in vitamin C, and a good source of dietary fiber,potassium,magnesium, and manganese. Drumstick leaves are highly nutritious not only for their protein content – they are also packed with beta-carotene, vitamin C, calcium, potassium, and iron. Make sure to chew the leaves well to assimilate the maximum amount of nutrients.

We used 4 drumsticks for the stew. They can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days.

COOKING THE PODS

Young moringa oleifera tree pods are edible whole, with a delicate flavor like asparagus.They can be used from the time they emerge from the flower cluster until they become too pulpy/woody to snap easily. The largest ones usable will probably be 12 to 15 inches long and 1/4 inch in diameter. At this stage of growth they can be prepared in many ways. Here are a few:1. Cut the pods into one-inch lengths. Add onion, vegan butter and salt. Boil for ten minutes or until tender.

THE LEAVES

The leaves can be cooked any way you would prepare spinach or collards, or kale. One easy way to cook them is to steam 2 cups freshly picked leaves for just a few minutes in one cup water, seasoned with onion, vegan butter and sea salt. Vary or add other seasons according to your taste.